take on

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

But on Sunday, he’ll take on one of the most daunting assignments of his career.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The city of L.A. is primarily responsible for taking on the problems of MacArthur Park, although the county has a role too in the areas of housing, public health and addiction services.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I would rather be in an industry and be selling a product that matters greatly to people and take on that responsibility for delivering on that,” Katz said in an interview.

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He said that while there has been speculation that Ms Ferguson, or indeed Andrew, could write a tell-all memoir, "I think the publishers would be wary of taking on the ex Duchess of York's story."

Read more on BBC

Certainly not when he serves his take on sfeeha, a traditional Levantine meat pie.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal