take turns

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

To use the old gym, they used to take turns in groups.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Parents take turns incubating the egg, which is highly sensitive to temperature.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

Someone has brought a megaphone; residents take turns leading chants.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026

“As soon as we get there, we can take turns tailing her.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023