take the initiative

Idioms  

1. Begin a task or plan of action, as in The boss was on vacation when they ran out of materials, so Julie took the initiative and ordered more. This term uses initiative in the sense of “the power to originate something,” a usage dating from the late 1700s.

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Example Sentences

More generally, an extended literature shows that opt-in procedures, where individuals have to take the initiative, produce low levels of participation.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

At Bell Labs, it was often the case that small groups of scientists and engineers were encouraged to take the initiative, and ended up creating some of its greatest breakthroughs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

"I think the chair umpire should be able to take the initiative, that's what he's there for," she said.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

Fed up, she felt she had to take the initiative.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2024

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that we had to take the initiative and this was the best way to do it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela