it takes a village
– C1 (advanced) –
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In Canadian and American English, this idiom typically means:
it requires more than one person to do this activity, so it is natural to need help
NOTE
This commonly used idiom in English is a loan phrase from a proverb in the Igbo language. Originally, it referred to the natural need for others’ help when raising a child, connoting a cultural ideology related to the importance of community.
Consequently, an alternative to this idiom in the English language is “it takes a village to raise a child.”
EXAMPLES
“It is so hard trying to balance everything that I need to do; there are simply not enough hours in a day to get everything done! I feel like there are always dirty dishes everywhere, much needed sweeping and mopping, toilets and tubs requiring attention, toys all over the floor… And to do all this when I am also working full time, taking care of the kids, making meals, and trying to go to the gym regularly–it is impossible!”
“Well, you know it takes a village, right?”
“I know, but I can’t have someone helping me all the time.”
“True, but at least you can get some relief with the help that you can receive every once in a while. You just gotta ask.”
“Here at this company we believe that it takes a village to run a successful enterprise with both happy employees and happy customers. So, if you ever have an idea, or even a problem, management’s doors are always open; you can always come to us for anything. We are here to help one another.”
