take on
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verb (adverb, mainly tr)
to employ or hireto take on new workmen
to assume or acquirehis voice took on a plaintive note
to agree to do; undertakeI'll take on that job for you
to compete against, oppose, or fightI will take him on at tennis; I'll take him on any time
(intr) informal to exhibit great emotion, esp grief
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Words nearby take on
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with take on
take on
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]
Hire, engage, as in We take on extra workers during the busy season. [Early 1600s]
Oppose in competition, as in This young wrestler was willing to take on all comers. [Late 1800s]
Display strong emotion, as in Don't take on so. [Colloquial; early 1400s]
Acquire as, or as if, one's own, as in He took on the look of a prosperous banker. [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.