take

take1 [ teık ] (past tense took [ tuk ] ; past participle tak|en [ `teıkən ] ) verb ***

▸ 1 move something/someone

▸ 2 cause someone/something to move

▸ 3 perform action

▸ 4 need something

▸ 5 accept

▸ 6 win prize/election

▸ 7 reach out and get

▸ 8 study particular subject

▸ 9 remove something

▸ 10 get picture/measure

▸ 11 get something from opponent

▸ 12 get from collection

▸ 13 get money from selling

▸ 14 use transportation

▸ 15 about equipment

▸ 16 eat or drink

▸ 17 wear a particular size

▸ 18 use product regularly

▸ 19 use something in discussion

▸ 20 think of in certain way

▸ 21 do or have something

▸ 22 have feeling/idea

▸ 23 be successful

▸ 24 cheat someone

▸ 25 have sex with

▸ 26 be responsible for class

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) transitive to move something or someone from one place to another:

Don't forget to take an extra pair of shoes.

Remember to take a pen with you.

What time do you take Amy to school?

We took the plants into the greenhouse.

The cat had to be taken to the vet.

Our guide took us around the cathedral.

take someone/something along (=with you): On long journeys I always take my dog along.

take someone/something for something: We took my mother for a drive in the country.

take someone/something to do something: We took him to catch his train.

take someone something: Take Debbie this cup of coffee, will you?

take something to someone: Let's take the presents to them tonight.

=> BRING

2. ) transitive take someone into/out of/up/through etc. something to cause someone to move somewhere:

My old job took me into the city a lot.

The steps took us up to a cave in the cliff.

The trip will take you through some beautiful scenery.

a ) to cause someone or something to be in a new position or condition:

Her amazing energy has taken her to the top of her profession.

acts that took the country into war

take someone to court: They'll take us to court if we don't pay up soon.

take someone hostage/prisoner: Bank robbers took the manager hostage overnight.

3. ) transitive to perform a particular action or series of actions:

Take a deep breath.

Tom took a sip of his drink.

I took a quick look at the audience.

Let's take a walk down to the river.

take action/steps/measures: The government must take action to stop this trade.

4. ) transitive to need something:

Your odd behavior is going to take some explaining.

take some doing (=be very difficult to do): It's going to take some doing to persuade them!

a ) to need a particular thing in order for something to happen:

Admitting what she had done took a lot of courage.

take something to do/be something: It takes talent and dedication to become a leading dancer.

It doesn't take much to start her crying.

have what it takes (=have the qualities that are necessary): Do you have what it takes to be a teacher?

b ) to need a particular amount of time to happen or to do something:

It will take a while to straighten this out.

Our meeting took much longer than I expected.

take someone ten minutes/two hours etc.: The trip should take us about three days.

5. ) transitive to accept something that someone offers you:

I've decided not to take the job.

Sorry, we don't take credit cards.

take (someone's) advice: She won't take my advice.

take it or leave it (=the offer will not change): That's my final price, take it or leave it.

a ) to accept an unpleasant situation or unpleasant treatment without complaining:

Please stop! I can't take it anymore.

In this job you have to be able to take criticism.

take something lying down (=accept something without any protest): I'm not going to take defeat lying down.

b ) to accept an explanation or something someone says without discussing it or arguing about it:

take someone's word for it (=believe what someone tells you): You don't have to take my word for it, ask anyone.

take it from someone (=believe them): That's the truth, take it from me.

6. ) transitive to win a prize in a competition or a vote in an election:

Gladiator took the Oscar for best movie.

Who took the silver medal?

The Democratic Party took 45 percent of the votes.

7. ) transitive to reach out and get something, especially with your hand:

Take as many cookies as you like.

Let me take your coats.

take someone by the arm/hand etc.: Her mother took her gently by the shoulders.

take someone in/into your arms: I'll take her in my arms and kiss her.

take something in your hands: I took the baby bird gently in my hands.

8. ) transitive to study a particular subject in school or college:

I took a class in computer programming.

Are you taking algebra this year?

a ) to do an examination in a particular subject:

I took my driving test three times before I passed.

She'll have to take the exam again.

9. ) transitive to remove something:

take something away (from)/out of/from something: Take the knife away from her!

These drugs should take the pain away.

Will you take the plates out of the cupboard?

Government officials came to take soil samples from the factory site.

a ) to steal something, or borrow it without the owner's permission:

Who took my pencil?

The burglars didn't seem to have taken much.

b ) to remove one number or quantity from another number or quantity:

take something (away) from something: What do you get if you take seven from twelve?

10. ) transitive to get a picture or a measurement using a machine:

The scientists will take more readings from the lava flow.

They've taken several scans of her brain.

take someone's temperature: A nurse took his temperature every hour.

take a picture/photograph/photo: May I take a picture of the two of you?

11. ) transitive to get control of something from an opponent:

The town was finally taken after a six-week siege.

1

a ) to get something from an opponent in a game or sports competition:

Bird took three free throws and seven rebounds in the first half.

Her bishop took my queen (=in the game of chess).

12. ) transitive to get something from a book or collection of things:

take something from something: The picture on page 5 is taken from their brochure.

They played a selection of songs taken from Broadway musicals.

13. ) transitive to get money from selling something to people, either regularly or on a particular occasion:

The store takes about $3,000 a week.

14. ) transitive to use a particular type of transportation:

take a bus/train/airplane/taxi etc.: I usually take the bus to work.

1

a ) to use a particular path or road:

Take the highway as far as Columbia.

We took a trail through the forest.

15. ) transitive if a piece of equipment takes something, it uses that thing in order to work:

What size batteries does your flashlight take?

cars that take unleaded gas

1

a ) if a piece of equipment takes something, it is able to accept the size or weight of that thing without breaking:

The tank takes about twenty gallons of water.

Careful that shelf won't take all those books.

16. ) transitive used in particular phrases meaning to eat or drink something, especially regularly:

take milk/sugar/lemon: Do you take milk in your coffee?

take food (=eat): They are refusing to take food.

1

a ) to put a drug or medicine into your body:

Take two aspirins and go to bed.

No more than four pills should be taken in 24 hours.

17. ) transitive used for talking about the size of clothes or shoes that someone wears:

What size shoes do you take?

18. ) transitive to use a product regularly:

Which newspaper do you take?

19. ) transitive to use something in a discussion:

Let's take that last point first.

I never throw anything away. Take this car (=use it as an example) it's very reliable.

take something as something: I'll take his behavior as an example of what I mean.

20. ) transitive to think about someone or something in a particular way:

He tries hard, but I just can't take him seriously.

take something as a compliment/an insult: She took his remarks as a compliment.

take something as an omen/a sign: They took the rainbow as a sign from their god.

take something as proof/evidence of something: We can't take his silence as proof of his guilt.

2

a ) to understand someone's words or actions in a particular way:

He took her remark literally.

take someone to mean something: I took you to mean that you'd be there early.

something should not be taken to imply/indicate something: This statistic should not, of course, be taken to imply that female listeners lack intelligence.

take something the wrong way (=be offended): Don't take this the wrong way I'm just trying to help.

2

b ) to believe something, usually wrongly, about someone or something:

take someone/something for someone/something: She looks so young I took her for your sister.

Do you take me for a complete idiot?

what do you take me for?: I won't tell anybody, what do you take me for (=I am not that type of person)?

2

c ) take it (that) SPOKEN used for saying that you expect that the person you are talking to knows something or will do something:

I take it you've heard about Ben and Carol splitting up.

21. ) transitive to do or have something:

take a seat (=sit down): Please take a seat.

take power/office: The new president will take office in January.

take cover (=hide): They're shooting at us! Quick, take cover!

take a risk: Can you take the risk that you might lose your money?

take (the) credit: I did all the work, but Jill took all the credit.

take control/command: The rebels are taking control of the city.

take responsibility: We must encourage fathers to take full responsibility for their children.

22. ) transitive to have or show a feeling or opinion:

take offense: I'm afraid she took offense at my remarks.

take (an) interest: He's never taken much interest in his kids.

take pity on someone: Lisa took pity on us and invited us to dinner.

take a view/attitude: I take the view that children should be told the truth.

23. ) intransitive if a process takes, it is successful:

The vaccination didn't take properly.

I don't think your cuttings will take in this soil.

24. ) transitive AMERICAN INFORMAL to cheat someone

25. ) transitive LITERARY if a man takes a woman, he has sex with her

26. ) transitive BRITISH to have responsibility for a group of students:

Who takes the history class on Mondays?

can take something or leave it INFORMAL

to not care whether you have, see, or do something:

I like chocolate, but I can take it or leave it.

it takes all sorts (to make a world) SPOKEN

used for saying that you find someone's behavior surprising or strange

take place

to happen:

The Olympics take place every four years.

I don't know exactly what took place in the classroom.

you can't take someone anywhere SPOKEN

used for saying that someone is behaving in a way that makes you embarrassed:

Stop making that noise! I can't take you anywhere!

you can't take it with you VERY INFORMAL

used for saying that someone should spend their money, because they cannot spend it after they are dead

`take ,after phrasal verb transitive never progressive

take after someone to look or behave like an older relative:

In looks she takes after her father.

,take a`gainst phrasal verb transitive MAINLY BRITISH INFORMAL

take against someone to begin to dislike someone, often without having a good reason

,take a`part phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to separate an object into pieces:

My watch stopped, so I took it apart.

2. ) MAINLY JOURNALISM to beat someone very easily in a game or sport

3. ) to criticize a person or an idea very severely

,take a`way from phrasal verb transitive INFORMAL

take away from something to reduce the positive effect or success of something:

A few rowdy fans couldn't take away from the team's success.

,take `back phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to take something that you have bought back to a store because it is broken or not appropriate:

If you don't like the scarf, I can take it back.

2. ) INFORMAL to admit that something you said to or about someone was wrong:

I didn't mean what I said I take it back.

3. ) take someone back to remind someone of something in the past:

This song always takes me back to when I was a teenager.

4. ) to accept someone again after they have left a relationship, job, etc. and want to return to it:

She had an affair, but then he took her back.

,take `down phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to separate a large structure into pieces:

The platform was taken down for safety reasons.

2. ) to write down information or a statement:

The police took down our addresses and phone numbers.

3. ) to lower your pants or underwear without taking them off

─ opposite PULL UP

4. ) INFORMAL to hit or shoot someone so that they fall down

5. ) take someone down BRITISH to remove a prisoner from the place where they stand in a court

,take `in phrasal verb transitive

1. ) take in something to include something:

The book takes in the period between 1891 and Lenin's death.

2. ) to allow someone to stay in your house or your country:

refugees who were taken in during the war

We decided to take in lodgers.

3. ) to understand and remember something that you hear or read:

I'm not sure how much of his explanation she took in.

4. ) usually passive to trick someone into believing something that is not true:

Don't be taken in by their promises.

5. ) to make a piece of clothing more narrow or tight, so that it fits you

─ opposite LET OUT

6. ) to accept something as real or true:

He still hasn't really taken in his father's death.

7. ) take in something to do work for someone else in your home:

She has started taking in ironing.

8. ) to spend time looking at something:

We sat there taking in the scenery.

9. ) take in something to go to an entertainment or sport:

We took in a couple of movies.

,take `off phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to remove something, especially a piece of clothing:

I'd better take my shoes off.

─ opposite PUT ON

2. ) intransitive if an aircraft takes off, it leaves the ground and starts flying:

The plane should take off on time.

─ opposite LAND

3. ) intransitive to become successful or popular very fast:

Her business has really taken off.

4. ) transitive take something off to have a particular amount of time away from work:

I'm taking Monday off to go to the game.

We haven't taken any time off since last summer.

5. ) intransitive INFORMAL to leave a place suddenly:

As soon as she saw George arrive, she just took off.

6. ) transitive INFORMAL to copy the way someone speaks or behaves, in order to entertain people:

Beth can take off Judy Garland brilliantly.

,take `on phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to start to employ someone:

We're not taking on any new workers at this time.

2. ) transitive take on something to develop a particular character or appearance:

Our Web site is taking on a new look.

The war took on a different meaning for everyone involved.

3. ) transitive to accept some work or responsibility:

I can't take on any more work at the moment.

4. ) transitive to fight or compete against someone:

This evening the Packers take on the Eagles.

5. ) take on or take upon transitive to decide to do something without asking permission from anyone else:

take it on/upon yourself (to do something): My mother took it on herself to invite them.

6. ) intransitive MAINLY BRITISH INFORMAL OLD-FASHIONED to become upset:

Don't take on so!

,take `out phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to remove something from a pocket, bag, etc.:

Henry took out his wallet.

The officer started to take her notebook out.

2. ) to take someone to a place like a theater or a restaurant and usually pay for them:

take someone out for something: She's taking her parents out for dinner.

3. ) to get something officially, especially from an insurance company, bank, or law court:

They've taken out a huge ad in the newspaper.

When you take out an insurance policy, read the small print.

4. ) INFORMAL to kill someone or destroy something:

The night bombing raid took out the bridge.

take it out of you MAINLY SPOKEN

to need a lot of effort and make you feel very tired:

Playing tennis in this heat really takes it out of you.

take someone out of themselves INFORMAL

to help someone to forget their problems

take something out on someone

to make someone suffer because you are angry, upset, or tired, even though it is not their fault:

When he's under pressure at work, he takes it out on me.

,take `over phrasal verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to begin to do something that someone else was doing:

Can you take over the cooking while I walk the dog?

take over as something: Jane took over as director after Richard retired.

take (something) over from someone: I'll take over from you for a moment.

2. ) transitive to take control of something:

IBM is taking over the smaller company.

Gibraltar was taken over by Spain in 1462.

,take `through phrasal verb transitive INFORMAL

take someone through something to explain to someone in detail how something should be done, what something is about, etc.:

Here's my report. I'll take you through it if you like.

`take to phrasal verb transitive

1. ) take to someone/something to begin to like someone or something:

I took to John immediately.

2. ) to start doing something as a habit:

take to doing something: Recently he's taken to wearing a hat.

3. ) take to something OLD-FASHIONED to go to a place, especially your bed:

Joanne says she's sick, and she's taken to her bed.

,take `up phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to start doing something regularly as a habit, job, or interest:

I took up smoking when I was in high school.

Chris has taken up jogging.

take up a post/position: The new surgeon will take up her post in May.

2. ) to fill a particular amount of space or time:

These files take up a lot of disk space.

I'll try not to take up too much of your time.

3. ) take up something to accept an offer or a CHALLENGE (=an offer to fight or compete) that someone has made to you:

One of our greatest athletes has taken up a new challenge.

Schools are taking up the offer of inexpensive computers.

4. ) to reduce the length of a piece of clothing or some curtains

5. ) to continue to discuss or deal with an idea, problem, or suggestion:

Mrs. Pankhurst took up the cause of women's rights.

She fell silent, and her brother took up the story.

take up arms FORMAL

to start a battle using weapons

take up residence FORMAL

to start living somewhere

,take `up on phrasal verb transitive

take someone up on something to accept an offer or invitation that someone has made:

I've decided to take you up on that job offer.

,take `up with phrasal verb transitive INFORMAL

take up with someone to become friendly with someone, especially someone who could have a bad influence on you:

I don't want you to take up with the wrong crowd.

be taken up with something

to be busy doing, discussing, or thinking about something:

The whole meeting was taken up with arguing about the budget.

She was completely taken up with her own worries.

`take up,on phrasal verb transitive

same as TAKE ON 5:

We took it upon ourselves to organize a quiz.

take

take 2 [ teık ] noun count

1. ) a section of a movie or television program that is recorded without stopping

2. ) usually singular INFORMAL the amount of money that a business earns in a particular period of time

be on the take VERY INFORMAL

someone in an official position who is on the take is accepting BRIBES (=money in return for doing something wrong)

someone's take on something

someone's attitude or opinion about a situation:

What's your take on the oil crisis?