take the initiative

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

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

Phil from London agreed parents needed to take the initiative when it came to online safety.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 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

I put out my hand to get a slap from him, but he misinterprets that as a handshake attempt, so I take the initiative and turn it into a hug, a big smelly one.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini