take on

British  

verb

1. to employ or hire

   to take on new workmen

2. to assume or acquire

   his voice took on a plaintive note

3. to agree to do; undertake

   I'll take on that job for you

4. to compete against, oppose, or fight

   I will take him on at tennis

   I'll take him on any time

5. informal (intr) to exhibit great emotion, esp grief

---

take on Idioms  

1. Undertake or begin to deal with, as in I took on new responsibilities , or She took on too much when she accepted both assignments . [Early 1300s]

2. Hire, engage, as in We take on extra workers during the busy season . [Early 1600s]

3. Oppose in competition, as in This young wrestler was willing to take on all comers . [Late 1800s]

4. Display strong emotion, as in Don't take on so . [ Colloquial ; early 1400s]

5. Acquire as, or as if, one's own, as in He took on the look of a prosperous banker . [Late 1700s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take on

"I have been Diana's brother, this is my final take on the situation… I'm not here to bang on about Diana, this is my final word, a celebration of her."

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

Already, Paramount is prepared to take on $80 billion in debt to finance the Warner Bros. buyout.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

“Away from the accident of birth, how is Howard the most qualified person to take on this role?”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Gurney will now take on England's Ross Smith in the last 16 on Saturday after he advanced past Kevin Doets 6-3.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

“Who, I ask you, can take, dare take, on himself, the rights, the duties, the responsibilities of another human soul?”

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling