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

The neocloud company has new deals with major tech companies, and just announced that it will be taking on debt to help finance data centers.

From The Wall Street Journal

And along the way, he has taken on a record that seemed untouchable in the modern era.

From The Wall Street Journal

He began working with Guinness as an ambassador in 2017, took on a national role in 2020 and added head of beer quality to his title last summer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Father eagerly took on the job of teaching me.

From Literature

When Chavez died in 1993, she took on the mantle that, at age 95, she still wears.

From Los Angeles Times