Message: #0 2025-11-15 
To take pity on the needy, grace the poor, and feel the notch—these
expressions reflect different attitudes or actions related to
compassion, generosity, and sensitivity.
### Take Pity on the Needy
This means to feel compassion or sorrow for people who lack basic
necessities, and often implies a desire to help or support them. Pity
indicates a heartfelt response to someone’s suffering or hardship,
which may inspire charitable or supportive actions toward those in
need.[1]
### Grace the Poor
To grace the poor means to honor, bless, or show kindness towards
people with little material wealth. “Grace” in this context refers
to offering respect, dignity, or generosity to those who are less
privileged, not merely in terms of giving but of treating them with
humanity and recognition.[1]
### Feel the Notch
“Feel the notch” is a more figurative expression and is less
common in everyday English. The word “notch” generally refers to a
small cut, mark, or indentation, but it can also mean a step or level
in a scale (such as increasing something by a notch). Figuratively,
“feel the notch” could mean to notice or recognize a small but
significant difference, level, or impact—perhaps acknowledging
subtle hardships or the ‘marks’ left by experiences (such as
poverty or suffering).[5][6]
#### Notch: Literal and Figurative Uses
- A notch is a V-shaped cut or indentation made on an edge or
surface.[6][1]
- It can also mean a small change in level or degree, as in “move up
a notch”.[5]
- In a figurative sense, to “feel the notch” might suggest
recognizing incremental change, impact, or the presence of
difficulty.[5]
### Summary Table
| Phrase | Meaning
|
|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| take pity on the needy| Feel compassion for those suffering or
lacking basics [1] |
| grace the poor | Show generosity or dignity towards less
privileged |
| feel the notch | Recognize or sense small but important
differences, hardships, or impacts [5][6] |
Each phrase focuses on empathy, generosity, or awareness of hardship.
While “take pity” and “grace” are direct calls for human
kindness, “feel the notch” emphasizes sensitivity to subtler signs
or marks of adversity.[6][1][5]
[1](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notch)
[2](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/notch)
[3](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/notch)
[4](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/notch)
[5](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/notch)
[6](https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/notch_1)
[7](https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/notch_1)
[8](https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/notch)
[9](https://kids.wordsmyth.net/we/?level=2&rid=28219)
[10](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notch) |