take on

British  

verb

1. to employ or hire

   to take on new workmen

2. to assume or acquire

   his voice took on a plaintive note

3. to agree to do; undertake

   I'll take on that job for you

4. to compete against, oppose, or fight

   I will take him on at tennis

   I'll take him on any time

5. informal (intr) to exhibit great emotion, esp grief

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take on Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

He and his business partner Giles Male are searching for new talent to take on the e-sport and hopes that adding more problem solving will make it more "accessible".

From BBC

Zelensky described the talks in the United States as "very constructive", adding that decisions would be taken on Ukraine's "further activities" once the delegation returning from there had been debriefed.

From Barron's

The film sees Sutherland play Bradley Mack, a failed Hollywood action star who takes on a role in a small English village's eccentric production of Cinderella.

From BBC

Car buyers are downsizing, buying used vehicles, taking on longer car loans and holding out for deals.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fledgling party had "a unique opportunity" to found "a socialist party of mass appeal" that could take on the mainstream parties of parliament, he said.

From BBC