take turns

Idioms  

1. Alternate, as in Since there is only one horse, Beth and Amanda are taking turns riding. This phrase uses turn in the sense of “one of a series of actions done in succession.” [Late 1300s] Also see in turn.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take turns

Instead, they take turns to silently perform a series of moves and poses that look, to the untrained eye, as if they are playing charades or, as they writhe on the ground, breakdancing.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

And in life, they let each other take turns at the wheel, planning events and dates with a notable regard for the other person.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

It features an area called Scotland's Larder in which different regions take turns to highlight and sell food which originates from that area.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026

Things happen like this in history, countries take turns, sometimes gradual, sometimes abrupt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

Fina and I take turns explaining everything Madeline told us.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

Related Words

• alter
• differ
• diverge
• diversify
• divide
• fluctuate
• modify
• range