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

BBC Sport caught up with Duncanson and Fynn to reflect on their Nostradamus moment - and get their take on where our national game will be 10 years from now.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Barron’s gives its take on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology and reports that it may be getting “too good.”

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Two funds with similar yields can carry different risks—some take on more interest-rate risk by holding longer-term bonds, while others assume greater credit risk by investing in high-yield debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Choosing to directly take on the major airlines, rather than carving out niche routes, was a critical error that doomed the company.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

When reciting its texts, one raised and lowered one’s voice to replicate the natural pauses provided by commas and periods, stopping for emphasis or to take on a questioning tone.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros