From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtake somebody/something seriouslytake somebody/something seriouslySERIOUS/NOT JOKINGto believe that someone or something is worth your attention or respect As a teacher, it’s important that the kids take you seriously. It’s only a joke – don’t take it seriously! → seriously
Examples from the Corpus
take somebody/something seriously• Sandy used to take herself so seriously all the time.• You really take this stuff seriously, don't you? 