take the initiative

Idioms

Begin a task or plan of action, as in The boss was on vacation when they ran out of materials, so Julie took the initiative and ordered more. This term uses initiative in the sense of “the power to originate something,” a usage dating from the late 1700s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At Bell Labs, it was often the case that small groups of scientists and engineers were encouraged to take the initiative, and ended up creating some of its greatest breakthroughs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

"But Chinese companies will take the initiative to adjust the destination of exports to overcome difficulties. Exporters are waiting and looking for new customers."

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025

Fed up, she felt she had to take the initiative.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2024

As architects, we try to take the initiative.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2024

Armstrong being busy with the collapsed woman, Lombard was free once more to take the initiative.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023