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

See Examples For:

take the initiative

"He likes to be the focus, he likes the responsibility, he likes to take the initiative."

From Barron's ● Jul. 6, 2026

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

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

From Salon ● Nov. 4, 2024

I put out my hand to get a slap from him, but he misinterprets that as a handshake attempt, so I take the initiative and turn it into a hug, a big smelly one.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

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