(transitive) To take someone literally even though they may not have been serious; to take someone seriously even though they were joking; to take up a challenge that was initially meant as a joke.

simple past tense of fall at the final hurdle

past participle of fall at the final hurdle

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of fall at the final hurdle

present participle of fall at the final hurdle

Synonym of take at face value

(UK) Alternative form of beat someone at their own game

(figuratively) To successfully use someone's methods and strategies against them.

present participle of burst at the seams

(chemistry) The oxygen molecule O₂, as opposed to the element O.