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

See Examples For:

take turns

Speakers take turns addressing crowds while also belting out protest songs and poems.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

And in life, they let each other take turns at the wheel, planning events and dates with a notable regard for the other person.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

It features an area called Scotland's Larder in which different regions take turns to highlight and sell food which originates from that area.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

“Being,” said Mama, “that we lost Christmas this year, let’s skip the part we’re supposed to read and go to the birth of the Baby Jesus. We’ll take turns reading. You start, Francie.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

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