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

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

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026

Two teams take turns to slide granite stones down a 45m-plus sheet of ice towards a target, with those 20kg stones accompanied on their journey by two players brushing furiously.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

The Chens take turns passing the ball to each other and pressuring opponents.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

So, basically, each of us will take turns saying ‘Did you hear that?’ and we’ll fill in the blank with either a truth or a lie.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

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