take

[teyk]

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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.

Nearby words

Idioms

on the take, Slang.

accepting bribes.
in search of personal profit at the expense of others.

take for granted. grant(def 10).

take it,

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.

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,

to exhaust; enervate: Every year the winter takes it out of me.
to exact payment from; penalize: They took it out of your pay.

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

1. acquire, secure, procure. 6. choose. 23. bear, stand, tolerate. 43. delight, attract, interest, engage. 44. need, demand. 45. use. 68. ascertain. 76. suppose, presume.

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ANTONYMS FOR take

1. give.

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Related formstak·a·ble, take·a·ble, adjectivetak·er, nounun·tak·a·ble, adjectiveun·take·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedbring take (see synonym study at bring)

Synonym study

1. See bring.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for take on

take on

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

take

verb 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

Derived Formstakable or takeable, adjective

Word Origin for take

Old English tacan, from Old Norse taka; related to Gothic tekan to touch

take

noun

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

Word Origin and History for take on

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.

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]

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

take

verb (used with object), took, tak·en, tak·ing.

verb (used without object), took, tak·en, tak·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of take

Synonym study

take on

verb (adverb, mainly tr)

take

verb takes, taking, took or taken (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for take

take

noun

Word Origin for take

take

take

take on

take