idiom
It Takes a Village
it TAYKS uh VIL-ij
/ɪt teɪks ə ˈvɪlɪdʒ/Listen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
ItTakesaVillage
Dictionary meaning
The idea that raising a child—or achieving any complex communal goal—requires the collective effort and involvement of the whole community, not just one or two individuals. Derived from an African proverb.
Examples
- It takes a village to support students with learning disabilities throughout their schooling.
- The mayor reminded residents that it takes a village to keep a city's public spaces safe.
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