take
[teyk]
verb (used with object), took, tak·en, tak·ing.
to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action: to take a cigarette out of a box; to take a pen and begin to write.
to hold, grasp, or grip: to take a book in one's hand; to take a child by the hand.
to get into one's hands, possession, control, etc., by force or artifice: to take a bone from a snarling dog.
to seize or capture: to take an enemy town; to take a prisoner.
to catch or get (fish, game, etc.), especially by killing: to take a dozen trout on a good afternoon.
to pick from a number; select: Take whichever you wish.
to receive and accept willingly (something given or offered): to take a compliment with a smile; to take a bribe.
to receive or be the recipient of (something bestowed, administered, etc.): to take first prize.
to accept and act upon or comply with: to take advice; to take a dare.
to receive or accept (a person) into some relation: to take someone in marriage; to take new members once a year.
to receive, react, or respond to in a specified manner: Although she kept calm, she took his death hard.
to form in the mind; make: The company took the decision to shut down.
to receive as a payment or charge: He refused to take any money for the use of his car.
to gain for use by payment, lease, etc.: to take a box at the opera; to take a beach house for a month.
to secure regularly or periodically by payment: to take a magazine.
to get or obtain from a source; derive: The book takes its title from Dante.
to extract or quote: He took whole passages straight from Dickens.
to obtain or exact as compensation for some wrong: to take revenge.
to receive into the body or system, as by swallowing or inhaling: to take a pill; to take a breath of fresh air.
to have for one's benefit or use: to take a meal; to take a nap; to take a bath.
to use as a flavoring agent in a food or beverage: to take sugar in one's coffee.
to be subjected to; undergo: to take a heat treatment.
to endure or submit to with equanimity or without an appreciable weakening of one's resistance: to take a joke; unable to take punishment.
to enter into the enjoyment of (recreation, a holiday, etc.): to take a vacation.
to carry off without permission: to take something that belongs to another.
to remove: to take the pins out of one's hair.
to remove by death: The flood took many families.
to end (a life): She took her own life.
to subtract or deduct: If you take 2 from 5, that leaves 3.
to carry with one: Take your lunch with you. Are you taking an umbrella?
to convey in a means of transportation: We took them for a ride in the country.
(of a vehicle) to convey or transport: Will this bus take me across town?
(of a road, path, etc.) to serve as a means of conducting to or through some place or region: Fifth Avenue took us through the center of town. These stairs will take you up to the attic.
to bring about a change in the state or condition of: Her ambition and perseverance took her quickly to the top of her field.
to conduct or escort: to take someone out for dinner.
to set about or succeed in getting over, through, or around (some obstacle); clear; negotiate: The horse took the hedge easily. He took the corner at top speed.
to come upon suddenly; catch: to take someone by surprise.
to get or contract; catch: He took cold over the weekend. I took a chill.
to attack or affect, as with a disease: suddenly taken with a fit of coughing.
to be capable of attaining as a result of some action or treatment: Most leathers take a high polish.
to absorb or become impregnated with; be susceptible to: Waxed paper will not take ink. This cloth takes dye.
to attract and hold: The red sweater took his eye. The urgent voice took her attention.
to captivate or charm: The kitten took my fancy.
to require: It takes courage to do that. The climb took all our strength.
to employ for some specified or implied purpose: to take measures to curb drugs.
to use as a means of transportation: to take a bus to the ferry.
to get on or board (a means of transportation) at a given time or in a given place: She takes the train at Scarsdale.
to proceed to occupy: to take a seat.
to occupy; fill (time, space, etc.): His hobby takes most of his spare time. The machine takes a lot of room.
to use up; consume: This car takes a great deal of oil. He took ten minutes to solve the problem.
to avail oneself of: He took the opportunity to leave. She took the time to finish it properly.
to do, perform, execute, etc.: to take a walk.
to go into or enter: Take the next road to the left.
to adopt and enter upon (a way, course, etc.): to take the path of least resistance.
to act or perform: to take the part of the hero.
to make (a reproduction, picture, or photograph): to take home movies of the children.
to make a picture, especially a photograph, of: The photographer took us sitting down.
to write down: to take a letter in shorthand; to take notes at a lecture.
to apply oneself to; study: to take ballet; She took four courses in her freshman year.
to deal with; treat: to take things in their proper order.
to proceed to handle in some manner: to take a matter under consideration.
to assume or undertake (a function, duty, job, etc.): The mayor took office last month.
to assume or adopt (a symbol, badge, or the like) as a token of office: to take the veil; to take the throne.
to assume the obligation of; be bound by: to take an oath.
to assume or adopt as one's own: to take someone's part in an argument; He took the side of the speaker.
to assume or appropriate as if by right: to take credit for someone else's work.
to accept the burden of: She took the blame for his failure.
to determine by inquiry, examination, measurement, scientific observation, etc.: to take someone's pulse; to take a census.
to make or carry out for purposes of yielding such a determination: to take someone's measurements; to take a seismographic reading.
to begin to have; experience (a certain feeling or state of mind): to take pride in one's appearance.
to form and hold in the mind: to take a gloomy view.
to grasp or apprehend mentally; understand; comprehend: Do you take my meaning, sir?
to understand in a specified way: You shouldn't take the remark as an insult.
to grasp the meaning of (a person): if we take him correctly.
to accept the statements of: to take him at his word.
to assume as a fact: I take it that you will be there.
to regard or consider: They were taken to be wealthy.
to capture or win (a piece, trick, etc.) in a game.
Informal. to cheat, swindle, or victimize: They really take people in that shop. The museum got taken on that painting.
to win or obtain money from: He took me for $10 in the poker game.
(of a man) to have sexual intercourse with.
Grammar. to be used with (a certain form, accent, case, mood, etc.): a verb that always takes an object.
Law. to acquire property, as on the happening of an event: They take a fortune under the will.
Baseball. (of a batter) to allow (a pitch) to go by without swinging at it: He took a third strike.
verb (used without object), took, tak·en, tak·ing.
to catch or engage, as a mechanical device: She turned the key and heard a click as the catch took.
to strike root or begin to grow, as a plant.
to adhere, as ink, dye, or color.
(of a person or thing) to win favor or acceptance: a new TV show that took with the public.
to have the intended result or effect, as a medicine, inoculation, etc.: The vaccination took.
to enter into possession, as of an estate.
to detract (usually followed by from).
to apply or devote oneself: He took to his studies.
to make one's way; proceed; go: to take across the meadow.
to fall or become: She took sick and had to go home.
to admit of being photographed in a particular manner: a model who takes exceptionally well.
to admit of being moved or separated: This crib takes apart for easy storage.
noun
the act of taking.
something that is taken.
the quantity of fish, game, etc., taken at one time.
an opinion or assessment: What's your take on the candidate?
an approach; treatment: a new take on an old idea.
Informal. money taken in, especially profits.
Journalism. a portion of copy assigned to a Linotype operator or compositor, usually part of a story or article.
Movies.
- a scene, or a portion of a scene, photographed without any interruption or break.
- an instance of such continuous operation of the camera.
Informal. a visual and mental response to something typically manifested in a stare expressing total absorption or wonderment: She did a slow take on being asked by reporters the same question for the third time.
a recording of a musical performance.
Medicine/Medical. a successful inoculation.
Verb Phrases
take after,
- to resemble (another person, as a parent) physically, temperamentally, etc.: The baby took after his mother.
- Also take off after, take out after.to follow; chase: The detective took after the burglars.
take back,
- to regain possession of: to take back one's lawn mower.
- to return, as for exchange: It was defective, so I took it back to the store.
- to allow to return; resume a relationship with: She said she would never take him back again.
- to cause to remember: It takes one back to the old days.
- to retract: to take back a statement.
take down,
- to move from a higher to a lower level or place.
- to pull apart or take apart; dismantle; disassemble.
- to write down; record.
- to diminish the pride or arrogance of; humble: to take someone down a notch or two.
take for,
- to assume to be: I took it for the truth.
- to assume falsely to be; mistake for: to be taken for a foreigner.
take in,
- to permit to enter; admit.
- to alter (an article of clothing) so as to make smaller.
- to provide lodging for.
- to include; encompass.
- to grasp the meaning of; comprehend.
- to deceive; trick; cheat.
- to observe; notice.
- to visit or attend: to take in a show.
- to furl (a sail).
- to receive as proceeds, as from business activity.
- Chiefly British.to subscribe to: to take in a magazine.
take off,
- to remove: Take off your coat.
- to lead away: The child was taken off by kidnappers.
- Informal.to depart; leave: They took off yesterday for California.
- to leave the ground, as an airplane.
- to move onward or forward with a sudden or intense burst of speed: The police car took off after the drunken driver.
- to withdraw or remove from: She was taken off the night shift.
- to remove by death; kill: Millions were taken off by the Black Plague.
- to make a likeness or copy of; reproduce.
- to subtract, as a discount; deduct: Shop early and we'll take off 20 percent.
- Informal.to imitate; mimic; burlesque.
- Informal.to achieve sudden, marked growth, success, etc.: Sales took off just before Christmas. The actor's career took off after his role in that movie.
take on,
- to hire; employ.
- to undertake; assume: to take on new responsibilities.
- to acquire: The situation begins to take on a new light.
- to accept as a challenge; contend against: to take on a bully.
- Informal.to show great emotion; become excited: There's no need to take on so.
take out,
- to withdraw; remove: to take out a handkerchief.
- to procure by application: to take out an insurance policy.
- to carry out for use or consumption elsewhere: to take a book out of the library; to get food to take out.
- to escort; invite: He takes out my sister now and then.
- to set out; start: They took out for the nearest beach.
- Slang.to kill; destroy.
take over, to assume management or possession of or responsibility for: The first officer took over the ship when the captain suffered a heart attack.
take to,
- to devote or apply oneself to; become habituated to: to take to drink.
- to respond favorably to; begin to like: They took to each other at once.
- to go to: to take to one's bed.
- to have recourse to; resort to: She took to getting up at five to go jogging before work.
take up,
- to occupy oneself with the study or practice of: She took up painting in her spare time.
- to lift or pick up: He took up the fallen leaves with a rake.
- to occupy; cover: A grand piano would take up half of our living room.
- to consume; use up; absorb: Traveling to her job takes up a great deal of time.
- to begin to advocate or support; sponsor: He has taken up another struggling artist.
- to continue; resume: We took up where we had left off.
- to reply to in order to reprove: The author takes up his critics in the preface of his latest book.
- to assume: He took up the duties of the presidency.
- to absorb: Use a sponge to take up the spilled milk.
- to make shorter, as by hemming: to take up the sleeves an inch.
- to make tighter, as by winding in: to take up the slack in a reel of tape.
- to deal with in discussion: to take up the issue of mass transit.
- to adopt seriously: to take up the idea of seeking public office.
- to accept, as an offer or challenge.
- to buy as much as is offered: The sale was taken up in a matter of days.
- Chiefly British.to clear by paying off, as a loan.
- Obsolete.to arrest (especially a runaway slave).
take up with, Informal. to become friendly with; keep company with: He took up with a bad crowd.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
revoke, renege, repossess, withdraw, cancel, repeal, reclaim, rescind, abjure, recall, recant, repudiate
Idioms
- accepting bribes.
- in search of personal profit at the expense of others.
- to accept or believe something; aquiesce: I'll take it on your say-so.
- Informal.to be able to resist or endure hardship, abuse, etc.
- to understand: I take it that you're not interested.
- to exhaust; enervate: Every year the winter takes it out of me.
- to exact payment from; penalize: They took it out of your pay.
on the take, Slang.
take for granted. grant(def 10).
take it,
take it out in, to accept as payment for services or as an equivalent of monetary compensation: He takes it out in goods instead of cash.
take it out of,
take it out on, Informal. to cause (someone else) to suffer for one's own misfortune or dissatisfaction: Just because you're angry with him you don't have to take it out on me!
take up a collection, to ask for or gather donations, usually of money, from a number of people.
take upon oneself, to assume as a responsibility or obligation: She has taken it upon herself to support the family.
Origin of take
before 1100; Middle English taken to take, strike, lay hold of, grasp, late Old English tacan to grasp, touch < Old Norse taka to take; cognate with Middle Dutch taken to grasp, Gothic tekan to touch
Synonyms for take
Synonym study
1. See bring.
Antonyms for take
1. give.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
take back
verb (adverb, mainly tr)
to retract or withdraw (something said, written, promised, etc)
to regain possession of
to return for exchangeto take back a substandard garment
to accept (someone) back (into one's home, affections, etc)
to remind one of the past; cause one to reminiscethat tune really takes me back
(also intr) printing to move (copy) to the previous line
take
1verb takes, taking, took or taken (mainly tr)
(also intr) to gain possession of (something) by force or effort
to appropriate or stealto take other people's belongings
to receive or accept into a relationship with oneselfto take a wife
to pay for or buy
to rent or leaseto take a flat in town
to receive or obtain by regular paymentwe take a newspaper every day
to obtain by competing for; winto take first prize
to obtain or derive from a sourcehe took his good manners from his older brother
to assume the obligations ofto take office
to endure, esp with fortitudeto take punishment
to adopt as a symbol of duty, obligation, etcto take the veil
to receive or react to in a specified wayshe took the news very well
to adopt as one's ownto take someone's part in a quarrel
to receive and make use ofto take advice
to receive into the body, as by eating, inhaling, etcto take a breath
to eat, drink, etc, esp habituallyto take sugar in one's tea
to have or be engaged in for one's benefit or useto take a rest
to work at or studyto take economics at college
to make, do, or perform (an action)to take a leap
to make use ofto take an opportunity
to put into effect; adoptto take measures
(also intr) to make a photograph of or admit of being photographed
to act or performshe takes the part of the Queen
to write down or copyto take notes
to experience or feelto take pride in one's appearance; to take offence
to consider, believe, or regardI take him to be honest
to consider or accept as validI take your point
to hold or maintain in the mindhis father took a dim view of his career
to deal or contend withthe tennis champion took her opponent's best strokes without difficulty
to use as a particular casetake hotels for example
(intr often foll by from) to diminish or detractthe actor's bad performance took from the effect of the play
to confront successfullythe horse took the jump at the third attempt
(intr) to have or produce the intended effect; succeedher vaccination took; the glue is taking well
(intr) (of seeds, plants, etc) to start growing successfully
to aim or directhe took a swipe at his opponent
to deal a blow to in a specified place
archaic to have sexual intercourse with
to carry off or remove from a place
to carry along or have in one's possessiondon't forget to take your umbrella
to convey or transportthe train will take us out of the city
to use as a means of transportI shall take the bus
to conduct or leadthis road takes you to the station
to escort or accompanymay I take you out tonight?
to bring or deliver to a state, position, etchis ability took him to the forefront in his field
to go to look for; seekto take cover
to ascertain or determine by measuring, computing, etcto take a pulse; take a reading from a dial
(intr) (of a mechanism) to catch or engage (a part)
to put an end to; destroyshe took her own life
to come upon unexpectedly; discover
to contracthe took a chill
to affect or attackthe fever took him one night
(copula) to become suddenly or be rendered (ill)he took sick; he was taken sick
(also intr) to absorb or become absorbed by somethingto take a polish
(usually passive) to charm or captivateshe was very taken with the puppy
(intr) to be or become popular; win favour
to require or needthis job will take a lot of attention; that task will take all your time
to subtract or deductto take six from ten leaves four
to hold or containthe suitcase won't take all your clothes
to quote or copyhe has taken several paragraphs from the book for his essay
to proceed to occupyto take a seat
(often foll by to) to use or employto take steps to ascertain the answer
to win or capture (a trick, counter, piece, etc)
(also intr) to catch as prey or catch prey
slang to cheat, deceive, or victimize
take amiss to be annoyed or offended by
take at one's word See word (def. 17)
take care to pay attention; be heedful
take care of to assume responsibility for; look after
take chances or take a chance to behave in a risky manner
take five informal, mainly US and Canadian to take a break of five minutes
take heart to become encouraged
take it
- to assume; believeI take it you'll be back later
- informalto stand up to or endure criticism, abuse, harsh treatment, etc
take one's time to use as much time as is needed; not rush
take place to happen or occur
take someone's name in vain
- to use a name, esp of God, disrespectfully or irreverently
- jocularto say (someone's) name
take something upon oneself to assume the right to do or responsibility for (something)
noun
the act of taking
the number of quarry killed or captured on one occasion
informal, mainly US the amount of anything taken, esp money
films music
- one of a series of recordings from which the best will be selected for release
- the process of taking one such recording
- a scene or part of a scene photographed without interruption
informal
- any objective indication of a successful vaccination, such as a local skin reaction
- a successful skin graft
printing a part of an article, story, etc, given to a compositor or keyboard operator for setting in type
informal a try or attempt
informal, mainly US a version or interpretationCronenberg's harsh take on the sci-fi story
See also take aback, take after, take against, take apart, take away, take back, take down, take for, take in, take off, take on, take out, take over, take to, take up
Word Origin for take
Old English tacan, from Old Norse taka; related to Gothic tekan to touch
take
2noun
NZ a topic or cause
Word Origin for take
Māori
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
take
1650s, "that which is taken in payment," from take (v.). Sense of "money taken in" by a single performance, etc., is from 1931. Movie-making sense is recorded from 1927. Criminal sense of "money acquired by theft" is from 1888. The verb sense of "to cheat, defraud" is from 1920. On the take "amenable to bribery" is from 1930.
take
late Old English tacan, from a Scandinavian source (e.g. Old Norse taka "take, grasp, lay hold," past tense tok, past participle tekinn; Swedish ta, past participle tagit), from Proto-Germanic *tækanan (cf. Middle Low German tacken, Middle Dutch taken, Gothic tekan "to touch"), of uncertain origin, perhaps originally meaning "to touch."
Gradually replaced Middle English nimen as the verb for "to take," from Old English niman, from the usual West Germanic *nem- root (cf. German nehmen, Dutch nemen; see nimble). OED calls it "one of the elemental words of the language;" take up alone has 55 varieties of meaning in that dictionary's 2nd print edition. Basic sense is "to lay hold of," which evolved to "accept, receive" (as in take my advice) c.1200; "absorb" (she can take a punch) c.1200; "to choose, select" (take the long way home) late 13c.; "to make, obtain" (take a shower) late 14c.; "to become affected by" (take sick) c.1300.
Take five is 1929, from the approximate time it takes to smoke a cigarette. Take it easy first recorded 1880; take the plunge "act decisively" is from 1876; take the rap "accept (undeserved) punishment" is from 1930. Phrase take it or leave it is recorded from 1897.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
take back
Retract a statement, as in I said you weren't much of a cook but after that dinner I take it all back. This usage was first recorded in 1775.
take one back. Return in thought to a past time, as in That music takes me back to the first dance I ever went to. [Late 1800s]
take
In addition to the idioms beginning with take
- take aback
- take a back seat
- take a bath
- take a bow
- take a break
- take account of
- take a chance
- take a crack at
- take a dim view of
- take advantage of
- take a fall
- take a fancy to
- take a fit
- take after
- take a gander at
- take a hand in
- take a hike
- take a hint
- take aim
- take a joke
- take a leaf out of someone's book
- take a leak
- take a load off one's mind
- take a look at
- take amiss
- take an interest
- take apart
- take a picture
- take a poke at
- take a powder
- take a rain check
- take as gospel
- take a shellacking
- take a shine to
- take aside
- take a spill
- take a stand
- take at face value
- take a turn for the better
- take a walk
- take away from
- take a whack at
- take back
- take by storm
- take by surprise
- take care
- take care of
- take charge
- take cover
- take doing
- take down
- take down a notch
- take effect
- take exception to
- take five
- take flight
- take for
- take for a ride
- take for gospel
- take for granted
- take heart
- take hold
- take ill
- take in
- take in good part
- take in hand
- take in stride
- take into account
- take into one's confidence
- take into one's head
- take into one's own hands
- take issue with
- take it
- take it easy
- take it from here
- take it from me
- take it on the chin
- take it or leave it
- take it out of one
- take it out on
- take its toll
- take it upon oneself
- take kindly to
- take leave of
- take liberties
- take lying down
- taken aback
- take no for an answer, not
- take note
- take notes
- taken with, be
- take off
- take offense
- take office
- take off one's hands
- take off one's hat to
- take on
- take one's breath away
- take one's chances
- take one's cue from
- take one's hat off to
- take one's leave
- take one's medicine
- take one's time
- take one's word for
- take on faith
- take on oneself
- take out
- take out of
- take over
- take pains
- take part
- take pity on
- take place
- take potluck
- take pride in
- take root
- take shape
- take sick
- take sides
- take some doing
- take someone's life
- take someone's measure
- take someone's name in vain
- take someone's part
- take someone's point
- take someone's word for
- take someone at his or her word
- take someone for a ride
- take someone in
- take something
- take something on faith
- takes one to know one
- take steps
- take stock
- take stock in
- takes two
- take the bit in one's mouth
- take the bitter with the sweet
- take the bread out of someone's mouth
- take the bull by the horns
- take the cake
- take the edge off
- take the fall
- take the field
- take the Fifth
- take the floor
- take the heat
- take the initiative
- take the law into one's hands
- take the liberty of
- take the load off
- take the plunge
- take the pulse of
- take the rap
- take the rough with the smooth
- take the starch out of
- take the sting out of
- take the trouble
- take the wind out of one's sails
- take the words out of someone's mouth
- take the wrong way
- take to
- take to heart
- take to one's heels
- take to task
- take to the cleaners
- take turns
- take umbrage
- take up
- take up a collection
- take up arms
- take up for
- take up on
- take up space
- take up where one left off
- take up with
- take wing
- take with a grain of slat
also see:
- at (take) pains
- devil take the hindmost
- double take
- give and take
- give or take
- go to (take) the trouble
- have (take) a crack at
- have (take) a fit
- in (take) effect
- (take) in good part
- in tow, take
- it takes all sorts
- it takes getting used to
- it takes one to know one
- (take) off one's hands
- (take) on faith
- on the take
- pay your money and take your choice
- pride oneself (take pride in)
- (take a) rain check
- sit up and take notice
- that's (takes care of) that
- what do you take me for
- what it takes
- (take) with a grain of salt
- you can lead (take) a horse to water
- you can't take it with you
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.