take turns

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take turns

Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup take turns playing on the left wing and have serviced Haaland well.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

And in life, they let each other take turns at the wheel, planning events and dates with a notable regard for the other person.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

The military has even introduced a new type of guard duty, where soldiers assigned as sky watchers take turns spotting incoming drones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Someone has brought a megaphone; residents take turns leading chants.

From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2026

Margot and I take turns doing the laundry.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

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