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

Speakers take turns addressing crowds while also belting out protest songs and poems.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 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

Things happen like this in history, countries take turns, sometimes gradual, sometimes abrupt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

Parents take turns incubating the egg, which is highly sensitive to temperature.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026

When Ophie was little she would sit on Mama’s lap and watch, and when she got old enough to play she would take turns playing either her mama or daddy.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

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