Anatomy. a hollow, pumplike organ of blood circulation, composed mainly of rhythmically contractile smooth muscle, located in the chest between the lungs and slightly to the left and consisting of four chambers: a right atrium that receives blood returning from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae, a right ventricle that pumps the blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs for oxygenation, a left atrium that receives the oxygenated blood via the pulmonary veins and passes it through the mitral valve, and a left ventricle that pumps the oxygenated blood, via the aorta, throughout the body.
2.
Zoology.
a.
the homologous structure in other vertebrates, consisting of four chambers in mammals and birds and three chambers in reptiles and amphibians.
b.
the analogous contractile structure in invertebrate animals, as the tubular heart of the spider and earthworm.
3.
the center of the total personality, esp. with reference to intuition, feeling, or emotion: In your heart you know I'm an honest man.
4.
the center of emotion, esp. as contrasted to the head as the center of the intellect: His head told him not to fall in love, but his heart had the final say.
5.
capacity for sympathy; feeling; affection: His heart moved him to help the needy.
6.
spirit, courage, or enthusiasm: His heart sank when he walked into the room and saw their gloomy faces.
7.
the innermost or central part of anything: Notre Dame stands in the very heart of Paris.
8.
the vital or essential part; core: the heart of the matter.
9.
the breast or bosom: to clasp a person to one's heart.
10.
a person (used esp. in expressions of praise or affection): dear heart.
11.
a conventional shape with rounded sides meeting in a point at the bottom and curving inward to a cusp at the top.
12.
a red figure or pip of this shape on a playing card.
13.
a card of the suit bearing such figures.
14.
hearts,
a.
(used with a singular or plural verb) the suit so marked: Hearts is trump. Hearts are trump.
b.
(used with a singular verb) a game in which the players try to avoid taking tricks containing this suit.
15.
Botany. the core of a tree; the solid central part without sap or albumen.
16.
good condition for production, growth, etc., as of land or crops.
17.
Also called core.Ropemaking. a strand running through the center of a rope, the other strands being laid around it.
–verb (used with object)
18.
Archaic.
a.
to fix in the heart.
b.
to encourage.
—Idioms
19.
after one's own heart, in keeping with one's taste or preference: There's a man after my own heart!
20.
at heart, in reality; fundamentally; basically: At heart she is a romantic.
21.
break someone's heart, to cause someone great disappointment or sorrow, as to disappoint in love: The news that their son had been arrested broke their hearts.
22.
by heart, by memory; word-for-word: They knew the song by heart.
23.
cross one's heart, to maintain the truth of one's statement; affirm one's integrity: That's exactly what they told me, I cross my heart!
24.
do someone's heart good, to give happiness or pleasure to; delight: It does my heart good to see you again.
25.
eat one's heart out, to have sorrow or longing dominate one's emotions; grieve inconsolably: The children are eating their hearts out over their lost dog.
26.
from the bottom of one's heart, with complete sincerity. Also, from one's heart, from the heart.
27.
have a heart, to be compassionate or merciful: Please have a heart and give her another chance.
28.
have at heart, to have as an object, aim, or desire: to have another's best interests at heart.
29.
have one's heart in one's mouth, to be very anxious or fearful: He wanted to do the courageous thing, but his heart was in his mouth.
30.
have one's heart in the right place, to be fundamentally kind, generous, or well-intentioned: The old gentleman may have a stern manner, but his heart is in the right place.
31.
heart and soul, enthusiastically; fervently; completely: They entered heart and soul into the spirit of the holiday.
32.
in one's heart of hearts, in one's private thoughts or feelings; deep within one: He knew, in his heart of hearts, that the news would be bad.
33.
lose one's heart to, to fall in love with: He lost his heart to the prima ballerina.
34.
near one's heart, of great interest or concern to one: It is a cause that is very near his heart. Also, close to one's heart.
35.
not have the heart, to lack the necessary courage or callousness to do something: No one had the heart to tell him he was through as an actor.
36.
set one's heart against, to be unalterably opposed to: She had set her heart against selling the statue. Also, have one's heart set against.
37.
set one's heart at rest, to dismiss one's anxieties: She couldn't set her heart at rest until she knew he had returned safely.
38.
set one's heart on, to wish for intensely; determine on: She has set her heart on going to Europe after graduation. Also, have one's heart set on.
39.
take heart, to regain one's courage; become heartened: Her son's death was a great blow, but she eventually took heart, convinced that God had willed it.
40.
take or lay to heart,
a.
to think seriously about; concern oneself with: He took to heart his father's advice.
b.
to be deeply affected by; grieve over: She was prone to take criticism too much to heart.
41.
to one's heart's content, until one is satisfied; as much or as long as one wishes: The children played in the snow to their heart's content.
42.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve,
a.
to make one's intimate feelings or personal affairs known to all: She was not the kind who would wear her heart on her sleeve.
b.
to be liable to fall in love; fall in love easily: How lovely to be young and wear our hearts on our sleeves!
43.
with all one's heart,
a.
with earnestness or zeal.
b.
with willingness; cordially: She welcomed the visitors with all her heart.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME herte, OE heorte; c. D hart, G Herz, ON hjarta, Goth hairtō; akin to L cor (see cordial, courage), Gk kardía (see cardio-)]
To get into one's possession by force, skill, or artifice, especially:
To capture physically; seize: take an enemy fortress.
To seize with authority; confiscate.
To kill, snare, or trap (fish or game, for example).
Sports & Games To acquire in a game or competition; win: took the crown in horseracing.
Sports & Games To defeat: Our team took the visitors three to one.
Sports To catch (a ball in play), especially in baseball: The player took it on the fly.
To put (food or drink, for example) into the body; eat or drink: took a little soup for dinner.
To draw in; inhale: took a deep breath.
To charge or oblige oneself with the fulfillment of (a task or duty, for example); commit oneself to: She took the position of chair of the committee.
To pledge one's obedience to; impose (a vow or promise) upon oneself.
To impose upon oneself; subject oneself to: We took extra time to do the job properly.
To accept or adopt for one's own: She took his side in the dispute.
To put forth or adopt as a point of argument, defense, or discussion.
To require or have as a fitting or proper accompaniment: Transitive verbs take a direct object.
To choose for one's own use; avail oneself of the use of: We took a rented car.
To use (something) as when in operation: This camera takes 35mm film.
To use (something) as a means of conveyance or transportation: take a train to Pittsburgh.
To use (something) as a means of safety or refuge: take shelter from the storm.
To choose and then adopt (a particular route or direction) while on foot or while operating a vehicle: Take a right at the next corner. The driver downshifted to take the corner.
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly: take a bribe.
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer: didn't take his punishment well.
To put up with; endure or tolerate: I've had about all I can take from them.
Baseball To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
To be affected with; catch: The child took the flu.
To be hit or penetrated by: took a lot of punches; took a bullet in the leg.
To withstand: The dam took the heavy flood waters.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To grasp with the hands; grip: Take your partner's hand.
To encounter or catch in a particular situation; come upon; discover: Your actions took me by surprise.
To deal a blow to; strike or hit: The boxer took his opponent a sharp jab to the ribs.
To affect favorably or winsomely; charm or captivate: She was taken by the puppy.
To put (food or drink, for example) into the body; eat or drink: took a little soup for dinner.
To draw in; inhale: took a deep breath.
To charge or oblige oneself with the fulfillment of (a task or duty, for example); commit oneself to: She took the position of chair of the committee.
To pledge one's obedience to; impose (a vow or promise) upon oneself.
To impose upon oneself; subject oneself to: We took extra time to do the job properly.
To accept or adopt for one's own: She took his side in the dispute.
To put forth or adopt as a point of argument, defense, or discussion.
To require or have as a fitting or proper accompaniment: Transitive verbs take a direct object.
To choose for one's own use; avail oneself of the use of: We took a rented car.
To use (something) as when in operation: This camera takes 35mm film.
To use (something) as a means of conveyance or transportation: take a train to Pittsburgh.
To use (something) as a means of safety or refuge: take shelter from the storm.
To choose and then adopt (a particular route or direction) while on foot or while operating a vehicle: Take a right at the next corner. The driver downshifted to take the corner.
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly: take a bribe.
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer: didn't take his punishment well.
To put up with; endure or tolerate: I've had about all I can take from them.
Baseball To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
To be affected with; catch: The child took the flu.
To be hit or penetrated by: took a lot of punches; took a bullet in the leg.
To withstand: The dam took the heavy flood waters.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To expose one's body to (healthful or pleasurable treatment, for example): take the sun; take the waters at a spa.
To bring or receive into a particular relation, association, or other connection: take a new partner into the firm; take a company national.
To engage in sex with.
To accept and place under one's care or keeping.
To appropriate for one's own or another's use or benefit; obtain by purchase; secure or buy: We always take season tickets.
To assume for oneself: take all the credit.
To charge or oblige oneself with the fulfillment of (a task or duty, for example); commit oneself to: She took the position of chair of the committee.
To pledge one's obedience to; impose (a vow or promise) upon oneself.
To impose upon oneself; subject oneself to: We took extra time to do the job properly.
To accept or adopt for one's own: She took his side in the dispute.
To put forth or adopt as a point of argument, defense, or discussion.
To require or have as a fitting or proper accompaniment: Transitive verbs take a direct object.
To choose for one's own use; avail oneself of the use of: We took a rented car.
To use (something) as when in operation: This camera takes 35mm film.
To use (something) as a means of conveyance or transportation: take a train to Pittsburgh.
To use (something) as a means of safety or refuge: take shelter from the storm.
To choose and then adopt (a particular route or direction) while on foot or while operating a vehicle: Take a right at the next corner. The driver downshifted to take the corner.
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly: take a bribe.
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer: didn't take his punishment well.
To put up with; endure or tolerate: I've had about all I can take from them.
Baseball To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
To be affected with; catch: The child took the flu.
To be hit or penetrated by: took a lot of punches; took a bullet in the leg.
To withstand: The dam took the heavy flood waters.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To pick out; select or choose: take any card.
To choose for one's own use; avail oneself of the use of: We took a rented car.
To use (something) as when in operation: This camera takes 35mm film.
To use (something) as a means of conveyance or transportation: take a train to Pittsburgh.
To use (something) as a means of safety or refuge: take shelter from the storm.
To choose and then adopt (a particular route or direction) while on foot or while operating a vehicle: Take a right at the next corner. The driver downshifted to take the corner.
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly: take a bribe.
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer: didn't take his punishment well.
To put up with; endure or tolerate: I've had about all I can take from them.
Baseball To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
To be affected with; catch: The child took the flu.
To be hit or penetrated by: took a lot of punches; took a bullet in the leg.
To withstand: The dam took the heavy flood waters.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To assume occupancy of: take a seat.
To require (something) as a basic necessity: It takes money to live in that town.
To obtain from a source; derive or draw: The book takes its title from the Bible.
To obtain, as through measurement or a specified procedure: took the patient's temperature.
To write or make a record of, especially in shorthand or cursive writing: take a letter; take notes.
To create (an image, likeness, or representation), as by drawing, painting, or photography: took a picture of us.
To include or distribute (a charge) in a financial record.
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly: take a bribe.
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer: didn't take his punishment well.
To put up with; endure or tolerate: I've had about all I can take from them.
Baseball To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
To be affected with; catch: The child took the flu.
To be hit or penetrated by: took a lot of punches; took a bullet in the leg.
To withstand: The dam took the heavy flood waters.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To accept or believe (something put forth) as true: I'll take your word.
To follow (advice, a suggestion, or a lead, for example).
To accept, handle, or deal with in a particular way: He takes things in stride.
To consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint: take the bitter with the sweet.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To undertake, make, or perform: take a walk; take a decision.
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit: The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
To provide room for; accommodate: We can't take more than 100 guests.
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To understand or interpret: May I take your smile as an indication of approval?
To consider; assume: Take the matter as settled.
To consider to be equal to; reckon: We take their number at 1,000.
To perceive or feel; experience: She took a dislike to his intrusions.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
To carry, convey, lead, or cause to go along to another place: Don't forget to take your umbrella. This bus takes you to New York. See Usage Note at bring.
To remove from a place: take the dishes from the sink.
To secure by removing: The dentist took two molars.
To cause to die; kill or destroy: The blight took these tomatoes.
To subtract: take 15 from 30.
To exact: The storm took its toll.
To commit and apply oneself to the study of: take art lessons; take Spanish.
To study for with success: took a degree in law.
Informal To swindle, defraud, or cheat: You've really been taken.
v.
intr.
To acquire possession.
To engage or mesh; catch, as gears or other mechanical parts.
To start growing; root or germinate: Have the seeds taken?
To have the intended effect; operate or work: The skin graft took.
To gain popularity or favor: The television series, which didn't take, was later canceled.
To become: He took sick.
n.
The act or process of taking.
That which is taken.
A quantity collected at one time, especially the amount of profit or receipts taken on a business arrangement or venture.
The number of fish, game birds, or other animals killed or captured at one time.
A scene filmed or televised without interrupting the run of the camera.
A recording made in a single session.
A physical reaction, such as a rash, indicating a successful vaccination.
A successful graft.
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
A quantity collected at one time, especially the amount of profit or receipts taken on a business arrangement or venture.
The number of fish, game birds, or other animals killed or captured at one time.
A scene filmed or televised without interrupting the run of the camera.
A recording made in a single session.
A physical reaction, such as a rash, indicating a successful vaccination.
A successful graft.
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
Sports The amount of money collected as admission to a sporting event; the gate.
The uninterrupted running of a movie or television camera or a set of recording equipment in filming a movie or television program or cutting a record.
A scene filmed or televised without interrupting the run of the camera.
A recording made in a single session.
A physical reaction, such as a rash, indicating a successful vaccination.
A successful graft.
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
A physical reaction, such as a rash, indicating a successful vaccination.
A successful graft.
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
Slang An attempt or a try: He got the answer on the third take.
Informal An interpretation or assessment, as of an event: The mayor was asked for his take on the judge's decision.
To follow as an example.
To resemble in appearance, temperament, or character.
To divide into parts after disassembling.
To dissect or analyze (a theory, for example), usually in an effort to discover hidden or innate flaws or weaknesses.
Slang To beat up; thrash.
To bring to a lower position from a higher one.
To take apart; dismantle: take down the Christmas tree.
To lower the arrogance or the self-esteem of (a person): really took him down during the debate.
To put down in writing.
To regard as: Do you take me for a fool?
To consider mistakenly: Don't take silence for approval.
To grant admittance to; receive as a guest or an employee.
To reduce in size; make smaller or shorter: took in the waist on the pair of pants.
To include or constitute.
To understand: couldn't take in the meaning of the word.
To deceive or swindle: was taken in by a confidence artist.
To look at thoroughly; view: took in the sights.
To accept (work) to be done in one's house for pay: took in typing.
To convey (a prisoner) to a police station.
To remove, as clothing: take one's coat off; take off one's galoshes.
To release: took the brake off.
To deduct as a discount: took 20 percent off.
To carry off or away.
Slang
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
To rise into the air or begin flight: The plane took off on time.
To discontinue: took off the commuter special.
To withhold service due, as from one's work: I'm taking off three days during May.
To undertake or begin to handle: took on extra responsibilities.
To hire; engage: took on more workers during the harvest.
To oppose in competition: a wrestler who took on all comers.
Informal To display violent or passionate emotion: Don't take on so!
To acquire (an appearance, for example) as or as if one's own: Over the years he has taken on the look of a banker.
To extract; remove: took the splinter out.
To secure (a license, for example) by application to an authority.
Informal To escort, as a date.
To give vent to: Don't take your frustration out in such an aggressive manner.
To obtain as an equivalent in a different form: took out the money owed in services.
Informal To begin a course; set out: The police took out after the thieves.
Slang
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
To assume control, management, or responsibility.
To assume the control or management of or the responsibility for: She took over the job after he left.
To become dominant: Our defense took over in the second half of the game.
To have recourse to; go to, as for safety: took to the woods.
To develop as a habit or a steady practice: take to drink.
To become fond of or attached to: "Two keen minds that they are, they took to each other"(Jack Kerouac).
To raise; lift.
To reduce in size; shorten or tighten: take up a gown.
To pay off (an outstanding debt, mortgage, or note).
To accept (an option, bet, or challenge) as offered.
To begin again; resume: Let's take up where we left off.
To use up, consume, or occupy: The extra duties took up most of my time.
To develop an interest in or devotion to: take up mountain climbing.
To deal with: Let's take up each problem one at a time.
To assume: took up a friendly attitude.
To absorb or adsorb: crops taking up nutrients.
To enter into (a profession or business): took up engineering.
Phrasal Verb(s): take after
To follow as an example.
To resemble in appearance, temperament, or character.
take apart
To divide into parts after disassembling.
To dissect or analyze (a theory, for example), usually in an effort to discover hidden or innate flaws or weaknesses.
Slang To beat up; thrash.
take back
To retract (something stated or written).
take down
To bring to a lower position from a higher one.
To take apart; dismantle: take down the Christmas tree.
To lower the arrogance or the self-esteem of (a person): really took him down during the debate.
To put down in writing.
take for
To regard as: Do you take me for a fool?
To consider mistakenly: Don't take silence for approval.
take in
To grant admittance to; receive as a guest or an employee.
To reduce in size; make smaller or shorter: took in the waist on the pair of pants.
To include or constitute.
To understand: couldn't take in the meaning of the word.
To deceive or swindle: was taken in by a confidence artist.
To look at thoroughly; view: took in the sights.
To accept (work) to be done in one's house for pay: took in typing.
To convey (a prisoner) to a police station.
take off
To remove, as clothing: take one's coat off; take off one's galoshes.
To release: took the brake off.
To deduct as a discount: took 20 percent off.
To carry off or away.
Slang
To go off; leave: took off in a hurry.
To achieve wide use or popularity: a new movie that really took off.
To rise into the air or begin flight: The plane took off on time.
To discontinue: took off the commuter special.
To withhold service due, as from one's work: I'm taking off three days during May.
take on
To undertake or begin to handle: took on extra responsibilities.
To hire; engage: took on more workers during the harvest.
To oppose in competition: a wrestler who took on all comers.
Informal To display violent or passionate emotion: Don't take on so!
To acquire (an appearance, for example) as or as if one's own: Over the years he has taken on the look of a banker.
take out
To extract; remove: took the splinter out.
To secure (a license, for example) by application to an authority.
Informal To escort, as a date.
To give vent to: Don't take your frustration out in such an aggressive manner.
To obtain as an equivalent in a different form: took out the money owed in services.
Informal To begin a course; set out: The police took out after the thieves.
Slang
To kill; murder: Two snipers took out an enemy platoon.
To search for and destroy in an armed attack or other such encounter: Combat pilots, flying low to avoid radar, took out the guerrilla leader's bunker in a single mission.
take over
To assume control, management, or responsibility.
To assume the control or management of or the responsibility for: She took over the job after he left.
To become dominant: Our defense took over in the second half of the game.
take to
To have recourse to; go to, as for safety: took to the woods.
To develop as a habit or a steady practice: take to drink.
To become fond of or attached to: "Two keen minds that they are, they took to each other"(Jack Kerouac).
take up
To raise; lift.
To reduce in size; shorten or tighten: take up a gown.
To pay off (an outstanding debt, mortgage, or note).
To accept (an option, bet, or challenge) as offered.
To begin again; resume: Let's take up where we left off.
To use up, consume, or occupy: The extra duties took up most of my time.
To develop an interest in or devotion to: take up mountain climbing.
To deal with: Let's take up each problem one at a time.
To assume: took up a friendly attitude.
To absorb or adsorb: crops taking up nutrients.
To enter into (a profession or business): took up engineering.
Idiom(s):
on the take Informal
Taking or seeking to take bribes or illegal income: "There were policemen on the take"(Scott Turow).
Idiom(s):
take a bath Informal
To experience serious financial loss: "Small investors who latched on to hot new issues took a bath in Wall Street"(Paul A. Samuelson).
Idiom(s):
take account of
To take into consideration.
Idiom(s):
take away from
To detract from: Drab curtains took away from the otherwise lovely room.
Idiom(s):
take care
To be careful: Take care or you will slip on the ice.
Idiom(s):
take care of
To assume responsibility for the maintenance, support, or treatment of.
Idiom(s):
take charge
To assume control or command.
Idiom(s):
take effect
To become operative, as under law or regulation: The curfew takes effect at midnight.
To produce the desired reaction: The antibiotics at last began to take effect.
Idiom(s):
take exception
To express opposition by argument; object to: took exception to the prosecutor's line of questioning.
Idiom(s):
take five/ten Slang
To take a short rest or break, as of five or ten minutes.
Idiom(s):
take for granted
To consider as true, real, or forthcoming; anticipate correctly.
To underestimate the value of: a publisher who took the editors for granted.
Idiom(s):
take heart
To be confident or courageous.
Idiom(s):
take hold
To seize, as by grasping.
To become established: The newly planted vines quickly took hold.
Idiom(s):
take it
To understand; assume: As I take it, they won't accept the proposal.
Informal To endure abuse, criticism, or other harsh treatment: If you can dish it out, you've got to learn to take it.
Idiom(s):
take it on the chin Slang
To endure punishment, suffering, or defeat.
Idiom(s):
take it or leave it
To accept or reject unconditionally.
Idiom(s):
take it out on Informal
To abuse (someone) in venting one's own anger.
Idiom(s):
take kindly to
To be receptive to: take kindly to constructive criticism.
To be naturally attracted or fitted to; thrive on.
Idiom(s):
take lying down Informal
To submit to harsh treatment with no resistance: refused to take the snub lying down.
Idiom(s):
take notice of
To pay attention to.
Idiom(s):
take (one's) breath away
To put into a state of awe or shock.
Idiom(s):
take (one's) time
To act slowly or at one's leisure.
Idiom(s):
take place
To happen; occur.
Idiom(s):
take root
To become established or fixed.
To become rooted.
Idiom(s):
take shape
To take on a distinctive form.
Idiom(s):
take sick
Chiefly Southern U.S. To become ill.
Idiom(s):
take sides
To associate with and support a particular faction, group, cause, or person.
Idiom(s):
take stock
To take an inventory.
To make an estimate or appraisal, as of resources or of oneself.
Idiom(s):
take stock in
To trust, believe in, or attach importance to.
Idiom(s):
take the bench Law
To assume a judicial position.
Idiom(s):
take the cake
To be the most outrageous or disappointing.
To win the prize; be outstanding.
Idiom(s):
take the count
To be defeated.
Sports To be counted out in boxing.
Idiom(s):
take the fall/hit Slang
To incur blame or censure, either willingly or unwillingly: a senior official who took the fall for the failed intelligence operation.
Idiom(s):
take the floor
To rise to deliver a formal speech, as to an assembly.
Idiom(s):
take the heat Slang
To incur and endure heavy censure or criticism: had a reputation for being able to take the heat in a crisis.
Idiom(s):
take to the cleaners Slang
To take all the money or possessions of, especially by outsmarting or swindling.
Idiom(s):
take up for
To support (a person or group, for example) in an argument.
Idiom(s):
take up the cudgels
To join in a dispute, especially in defense of a participant.
Idiom(s):
take up with Informal
To begin to associate with; consort with: took up with a fast crowd.
[Middle English taken, from Old English tacan, from Old Norse taka.]
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