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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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Words nearby take on

takeoff, 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
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

Words related to take on

acquire, add, adopt, annex, append, attempt, become, begin, commence, develop, embrace, employ, endeavor, engage, enlist, enroll, espouse, handle, have a go at, hire

Other Idioms and Phrases with take on

take on
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]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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