take (someone or something) as (something)
To regard, consider, or assume someone or something to be a certain type of person or thing. I never really liked the guy, but I never took him as a thief. At first took I her silence as a rejection of my proposal, but she told me later that she was just so taken aback that she couldn't respond right away. Can I take this as confirmation that the project will be done on time?
take someone as someone
to assume that someone is someone or a type of person. I took her as some sort of crank. She didn't want to be taken as some sort of busybody.
take something as something
Fig. to assume that something is intended a certain way. I took your comments as a severe criticism. Sam's actions were taken as constructive.