take turns

1. Alternate, as in Since there is only one horse, Beth and Amanda are taking turns riding. This phrase uses turn in the sense of “one of a series of actions done in succession.” [Late 1300s] Also see in turn.

Example Sentences

WILTON, Calif. — On a balmy day last week south of Sacramento, a group of women took turns grinding and preparing acorn flour, and then used fire-heated stones to cook it with water in woven baskets.

From Los Angeles Times

The country's politics resemble a game of musical chairs, with communist parties and the centrist Nepali Congress taking turns to rule.

From BBC

President Xi drove the length of the parade route to inspect his troops before each battle unit took turns to goose-step past their leader.

From BBC

Then they each took turns stabbing her with a 12-inch knife, according to his testimony, first in the neck then in the back and shoulders.

From Los Angeles Times

They had pushed the table against the wall and spread a cardboard box flat across the floor, where they were taking turns sleeping.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alter 
• differ 
• diverge 
• diversify 
• divide 
• fluctuate 
• modify 
• range