What does "take for granted" mean?

Question

I have been searching a lot in diffrent dictionaries but I still haven't known what does it mean.Can you explain shortly and please give me some examples, will you?

Kocka Macka · Accepted Answer

The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says that: take sb/sth for 'granted: to be so used to sb/sth that you do not recognize their true value any more and do not show that you are grateful. It basically means that if you take something for granted, you simply think that it is normal, it is something which you expect to be here always and you don't consider the possibility that it could be different, e.g.: We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted. Her husband was always there and she just took him for granted. (O.A.L.D.)

Matfever · Answer

Kocka MackaThe Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary says that: take sb/sth for 'granted: to be so used to sb/sth that you do not recognize their true value any more and do not show that you are grateful. It basically means that if you take something for granted, you simply think that it is normal, it is something which you expect to be here always and you don't consider the possibility that it could be different, e.g.: We take having an endless supply of clean water for granted. Her husband was always there and she just took him for granted. (O.A.L.D.)

what?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

That's a challenge to explain!

It means not to appreciate the wonderful things you have.
You expect them to be there all the time, as if you deserved them.

Example:
John's mother gave him everything in life. She worked hard in the house, giving him a nice place to live, lots of good food, the latest cell phone, computer games, and the best education she could afford. She devoted her life to her son.

All these years, John took his mother for granted. He never once said "thank you" or "I love you".

When John moved out of the house, he then realized how much his mother had done. He became aware that he had taken her for granted all of his life. He wanted to thank her for all the things she had done. But he was too late. She died of a heart attack before he could tell her.

Matfever · Answer

AlpheccaStarsThat's a challenge to explain!It means not to appreciate the wonderful things you have.You expect them to be there all the time, as if you deserved them.

But you explained it very good. I got it. Thanks!

Anonymous · Answer

Excellent!! you helped me a lot

Anonymous · Answer

It means you don't care but should be

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you so much, i did really understand that work

What does "take for granted" mean?

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