Pop
take a chill pill
What does take a chill pill mean?
An instruction to relax or calm down, said to someone who's worked up or overreacting.
"Take a chill pill, it's just a game."
Origin
Coined in mid-80s American slang, riffing on the idea of an imaginary pill that calms you down, possibly nodding to anti-anxiety meds. It spread through teen and pop culture as the decade's go-to 'calm down' line.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'take a chill pill' mean?
It means calm down or relax. You say it to someone who's getting too worked up or dramatic.
Is 'take a chill pill' rude?
It can come off dismissive, especially when someone's genuinely upset, but it's usually meant lightly.
When did people start saying 'chill pill'?
It became popular American slang in the mid-1980s and stuck around through the 90s.
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