to get into one's hold or possession by voluntary action: to take a cigarette out of a box; to take a pen and begin to write.
2.
to hold, grasp, or grip: to take a book in one's hand; to take a child by the hand.
3.
to get into one's hands, possession, control, etc., by force or artifice: to take a bone from a snarling dog.
4.
to seize or capture: to take an enemy town; to take a prisoner.
5.
to catch or get (fish, game, etc.), esp. by killing: to take a dozen trout on a good afternoon.
6.
to pick from a number; select: Take whichever you wish.
7.
to receive and accept willingly (something given or offered): to take a compliment with a smile; to take a bribe.
8.
to receive or be the recipient of (something bestowed, administered, etc.): to take first prize.
9.
to accept and act upon or comply with: to take advice; to take a dare.
10.
to receive or accept (a person) into some relation: to take someone in marriage; to take new members once a year.
11.
to receive, react, or respond to in a specified manner: Although she kept calm, she took his death hard.
12.
to receive as a payment or charge: He refused to take any money for the use of his car.
13.
to gain for use by payment, lease, etc.: to take a box at the opera; to take a beach house for a month.
14.
to secure regularly or periodically by payment: to take a magazine.
15.
to get or obtain from a source; derive: The book takes its title from Dante.
16.
to extract or quote: He took whole passages straight from Dickens.
17.
to obtain or exact as compensation for some wrong: to take revenge.
18.
to receive into the body or system, as by swallowing or inhaling: to take a pill; to take a breath of fresh air.
19.
to have for one's benefit or use: to take a meal; to take a nap; to take a bath.
20.
to use as a flavoring agent in a food or beverage: to take sugar in one's coffee.
21.
to be subjected to; undergo: to take a heat treatment.
22.
to endure or submit to with equanimity or without an appreciable weakening of one's resistance: to take a joke; unable to take punishment.
23.
to enter into the enjoyment of (recreation, a holiday, etc.): to take a vacation.
24.
to carry off without permission: to take something that belongs to another.
25.
to remove: to take the pins out of one's hair.
26.
to remove by death: The flood took many families.
27.
to end (a life): She took her own life.
28.
to subtract or deduct: If you take 2 from 5, that leaves 3.
29.
to carry with one: Take your lunch with you. Are you taking an umbrella?
30.
to convey in a means of transportation: We took them for a ride in the country.
31.
(of a vehicle) to convey or transport: Will this bus take me across town?
32.
(of a road, path, etc.) to serve as a means of conducting to or through some place or region: Fifth Avenue took us through the center of town. These stairs will take you up to the attic.
33.
to bring about a change in the state or condition of: Her ambition and perseverance took her quickly to the top of her field.
34.
to conduct or escort: to take someone out for dinner.
35.
to set about or succeed in getting over, through, or around (some obstacle); clear; negotiate: The horse took the hedge easily. He took the corner at top speed.
36.
to come upon suddenly; catch: to take someone by surprise.
37.
to get or contract; catch: He took cold over the weekend. I took a chill.
38.
to attack or affect, as with a disease: suddenly taken with a fit of coughing.
39.
to be capable of attaining as a result of some action or treatment: Most leathers take a high polish.
40.
to absorb or become impregnated with; be susceptible to: Waxed paper will not take ink. This cloth takes dye.
41.
to attract and hold: The red sweater took his eye. The urgent voice took her attention.
42.
to captivate or charm: The kitten took my fancy.
43.
to require: It takes courage to do that. The climb took all our strength.
44.
to employ for some specified or implied purpose: to take measures to curb drugs.
45.
to use as a means of transportation: to take a bus to the ferry.
46.
to get on or board (a means of transportation) at a given time or in a given place: She takes the train at Scarsdale.
47.
to proceed to occupy: to take a seat.
48.
to occupy; fill (time, space, etc.): His hobby takes most of his spare time. The machine takes a lot of room.
49.
to use up; consume: This car takes a great deal of oil. He took ten minutes to solve the problem.
50.
to avail oneself of: He took the opportunity to leave. She took the time to finish it properly.
51.
to do, perform, execute, etc.: to take a walk.
52.
to go into or enter: Take the next road to the left.
53.
to adopt and enter upon (a way, course, etc.): to take the path of least resistance.
54.
to act or perform: to take the part of the hero.
55.
to make (a reproduction, picture, or photograph): to take home movies of the children.
56.
to make a picture, esp. a photograph, of: The photographer took us sitting down.
57.
to write down: to take a letter in shorthand; to take notes at a lecture.
58.
to apply oneself to; study: to take ballet; She took four courses in her freshman year.
59.
to deal with; treat: to take things in their proper order.
60.
to proceed to handle in some manner: to take a matter under consideration.
61.
to assume or undertake (a function, duty, job, etc.): The mayor took office last month.
62.
to assume or adopt (a symbol, badge, or the like) as a token of office: to take the veil; to take the throne.
63.
to assume the obligation of; be bound by: to take an oath.
64.
to assume or adopt as one's own: to take someone's part in an argument; He took the side of the speaker.
65.
to assume or appropriate as if by right: to take credit for someone else's work.
66.
to accept the burden of: She took the blame for his failure.
67.
to determine by inquiry, examination, measurement, scientific observation, etc.: to take someone's pulse; to take a census.
68.
to make or carry out for purposes of yielding such a determination: to take someone's measurements; to take a seismographic reading.
69.
to begin to have; experience (a certain feeling or state of mind): to take pride in one's appearance.
70.
to form and hold in the mind: to take a gloomy view.
71.
to grasp or apprehend mentally; understand; comprehend: Do you take my meaning, sir?
72.
to understand in a specified way: You shouldn't take the remark as an insult.
73.
to grasp the meaning of (a person): if we take him correctly.
74.
to accept the statements of: to take him at his word.
75.
to assume as a fact: I take it that you will be there.
76.
to regard or consider: They were taken to be wealthy.
77.
to capture or win (a piece, trick, etc.) in a game.
78.
Informal. to cheat, swindle, or victimize: They really take people in that shop. The museum got taken on that painting.
79.
to win or obtain money from: He took me for $10 in the poker game.
80.
(of a man) to have sexual intercourse with.
81.
Grammar. to be used with (a certain form, accent, case, mood, etc.): a verb that always takes an object.
82.
Law. to acquire property, as on the happening of an event: They take a fortune under the will.
83.
Baseball. (of a batter) to allow (a pitch) to go by without swinging at it: He took a third strike.
–verb (used without object)
84.
to catch or engage, as a mechanical device: She turned the key and heard a click as the catch took.
85.
to strike root or begin to grow, as a plant.
86.
to adhere, as ink, dye, or color.
87.
(of a person or thing) to win favor or acceptance: a new TV show that took with the public.
88.
to have the intended result or effect, as a medicine, inoculation, etc.: The vaccination took.
89.
to enter into possession, as of an estate.
90.
to detract (usually fol. by from).
91.
to apply or devote oneself: He took to his studies.
92.
to make one's way; proceed; go: to take across the meadow.
93.
to fall or become: She took sick and had to go home.
94.
to admit of being photographed in a particular manner: a model who takes exceptionally well.
95.
to admit of being moved or separated: This crib takes apart for easy storage.
–noun
96.
the act of taking.
97.
something that is taken.
98.
the quantity of fish, game, etc., taken at one time.
99.
an opinion or assessment: What's your take on the candidate?
100.
an approach; treatment: a new take on an old idea.
101.
Informal. money taken in, esp. profits.
102.
Journalism. a portion of copy assigned to a Linotype operator or compositor, usually part of a story or article.
103.
Movies.
a.
a scene, or a portion of a scene, photographed without any interruption or break.
b.
an instance of such continuous operation of the camera.
104.
Informal. a visual and mental response to something typically manifested in a stare expressing total absorption or wonderment: She did a slow take on being asked by reporters the same question for the third time.
105.
a recording of a musical performance.
106.
Medicine/Medical. a successful inoculation.
—Verb phrases
107.
take after,
a.
to resemble (another person, as a parent) physically, temperamentally, etc.: The baby took after his mother.
b.
Also, take off after, take out after.to follow; chase: The detective took after the burglars.
108.
take back,
a.
to regain possession of: to take back one's lawn mower.
b.
to return, as for exchange: It was defective, so I took it back to the store.
c.
to allow to return; resume a relationship with: She said she would never take him back again.
d.
to cause to remember: It takes one back to the old days.
e.
to retract: to take back a statement.
109.
take down,
a.
to move from a higher to a lower level or place.
b.
to pull apart or take apart; dismantle; disassemble.
c.
to write down; record.
d.
to diminish the pride or arrogance of; humble: to take someone down a notch or two.
110.
take for,
a.
to assume to be: I took it for the truth.
b.
to assume falsely to be; mistake for: to be taken for a foreigner.
111.
take in,
a.
to permit to enter; admit.
b.
to alter (an article of clothing) so as to make smaller.
c.
to provide lodging for.
d.
to include; encompass.
e.
to grasp the meaning of; comprehend.
f.
to deceive; trick; cheat.
g.
to observe; notice.
h.
to visit or attend: to take in a show.
i.
to furl (a sail).
j.
to receive as proceeds, as from business activity.
k.
Chiefly British. to subscribe to: to take in a magazine.
112.
take off,
a.
to remove: Take off your coat.
b.
to lead away: The child was taken off by kidnappers.
c.
Informal. to depart; leave: They took off yesterday for California.
d.
to leave the ground, as an airplane.
e.
to move onward or forward with a sudden or intense burst of speed: The police car took off after the drunken driver.
f.
to withdraw or remove from: She was taken off the night shift.
g.
to remove by death; kill: Millions were taken off by the Black Plague.
h.
to make a likeness or copy of; reproduce.
i.
to subtract, as a discount; deduct: Shop early and we'll take off 20 percent.
j.
Informal. to imitate; mimic; burlesque.
k.
Informal. to achieve sudden, marked growth, success, etc.: Sales took off just before Christmas. The actor's career took off after his role in that movie.
113.
take on,
a.
to hire; employ.
b.
to undertake; assume: to take on new responsibilities.
c.
to acquire: The situation begins to take on a new light.
d.
to accept as a challenge; contend against: to take on a bully.
e.
Informal. to show great emotion; become excited: There's no need to take on so.
114.
take out,
a.
to withdraw; remove: to take out a handkerchief.
b.
to procure by application: to take out an insurance policy.
c.
to carry out for use or consumption elsewhere: to take a book out of the library; to get food to take out.
d.
to escort; invite: He takes out my sister now and then.
e.
to set out; start: They took out for the nearest beach.
f.
Slang. to kill; destroy.
115.
take over, to assume management or possession of or responsibility for: The first officer took over the ship when the captain suffered a heart attack.
116.
take to,
a.
to devote or apply oneself to; become habituated to: to take to drink.
b.
to respond favorably to; begin to like: They took to each other at once.
c.
to go to: to take to one's bed.
d.
to have recourse to; resort to: She took to getting up at five to go jogging before work.
117.
take up,
a.
to occupy oneself with the study or practice of: She took up painting in her spare time.
b.
to lift or pick up: He took up the fallen leaves with a rake.
c.
to occupy; cover: A grand piano would take up half of our living room.
d.
to consume; use up; absorb: Traveling to her job takes up a great deal of time.
e.
to begin to advocate or support; sponsor: He has taken up another struggling artist.
f.
to continue; resume: We took up where we had left off.
g.
to reply to in order to reprove: The author takes up his critics in the preface of his latest book.
h.
to assume: He took up the duties of the presidency.
i.
to absorb: Use a sponge to take up the spilled milk.
j.
to make shorter, as by hemming: to take up the sleeves an inch.
k.
to make tighter, as by winding in: to take up the slack in a reel of tape.
l.
to deal with in discussion: to take up the issue of mass transit.
m.
to adopt seriously: to take up the idea of seeking public office.
n.
to accept, as an offer or challenge.
o.
to buy as much as is offered: The sale was taken up in a matter of days.
p.
Chiefly British. to clear by paying off, as a loan.
q.
Obsolete. to arrest (esp. a runaway slave).
118.
take up with, Informal. to become friendly with; keep company with: He took up with a bad crowd.
—Idioms
119.
on the take, Slang.
a.
accepting bribes.
b.
in search of personal profit at the expense of others.
to accept or believe something; aquiesce: I'll take it on your say-so.
b.
Informal. to be able to resist or endure hardship, abuse, etc.
c.
to understand: I take it that you're not interested.
122.
take it out in, to accept as payment for services or as an equivalent of monetary compensation: He takes it out in goods instead of cash.
123.
take it out of,
a.
to exhaust; enervate: Every year the winter takes it out of me.
b.
to exact payment from; penalize: They took it out of your pay.
124.
take it out on, Informal. to cause (someone else) to suffer for one's own misfortune or dissatisfaction: Just because you're angry with him you don't have to take it out on me!
125.
take up a collection, to ask for or gather donations, usually of money, from a number of people.
126.
take upon oneself, to assume as a responsibility or obligation: She has taken it upon herself to support the family.
Origin: bef. 1100; ME taken to take, strike, lay hold of, grasp, late OE tacan to grasp, touch < ON taka to take; c. MD taken to grasp, Goth tekan to touch
take (tāk) v.
took (tŏŏk), tak·en (tā'kən), tak·ing, takes
v.
tr.
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 backTo 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 ofTo take into consideration.
Idiom(s):
take away fromTo detract from: Drab curtains took away from the otherwise lovely room.
Idiom(s):
take careTo be careful: Take care or you will slip on the ice.
Idiom(s):
take care ofTo assume responsibility for the maintenance, support, or treatment of.
Idiom(s):
take chargeTo 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 exceptionTo 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 heartTo 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 itTo 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 ofTo pay attention to.
Idiom(s):
take (one's) breath awayTo put into a state of awe or shock.
Idiom(s):
take (one's) timeTo act slowly or at one's leisure.
Idiom(s):
take placeTo happen; occur.
Idiom(s):
take root
To become established or fixed.
To become rooted.
Idiom(s):
take shapeTo take on a distinctive form.
Idiom(s):
take sickChiefly Southern U.S. To become ill.
Idiom(s):
take sidesTo 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 inTo 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 floorTo 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 forTo support (a person or group, for example) in an argument.
Idiom(s):
take up the cudgelsTo 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.] tak'a·ble adj.
tv. and rope. soto cheat or deceive someone. : He might try to rope you in. Keep an eye on him and count your change.
tv. to give shelter to someone. : We took her in and gave her some soup and a place to stay.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
take (sth)
tv. to make something known to the public. : You gotta take it public—put it on the street—even when it's none of your business. , Don't take it public. You'll just get talked about.
tv. to sell shares in a company to the general public. (Securities markets.) : We're going to take it public whenever the market looks good.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
take (v.)
late O.E. tacan, from a N.Gmc. source (e.g. O.N. taka "take, grasp, lay hold," past tense tok, pp. tekinn; Swed. ta, pp. tagit), from P.Gmc. *tækanan (cf. M.L.G. tacken, M.Du. taken, Goth. tekan "to touch"), of uncertain origin, perhaps originally meaning "to touch." Gradually replaced M.E. nimen as the verb for "to take," from O.E. niman, from the usual W.Gmc. *nem- root (cf. Ger. nehmen, Du. nemen), also of unknown origin. OED calls it "one of the elemental words of the language;" take up alone has 55 varieties of meaning in that dictionary. Basic sense is "to lay hold of," which evolved to "accept, receive" (as in take my advice) c.1200; "absorb" (he can take a punch) c.1200; "to choose, select" (take the long way home) c.1275; "to make, obtain" (take a shower) 1375; "to become affected by" (take sick) c.1300. Take five is 1929, from the approximate time it takes to smoke a cigarette. Take it easy first recorded 1880; take the plunge "act decisively" is from 1876; take the rap "accept (undeserved) punishment" is from 1930. Phrase take it or leave it is recorded from 1897.
Main Entry: take Function: verb Inflected Forms: took; tak·en; tak·ing transitive verb 1 a: to obtain control, custody, or possession of often by assertive or intentional means b: to seize or interfere with the use of (property) by governmental authority; specifically: to acquire title to for public use by eminent domain 2 a: to undertake the duties of <take office> b: to bind oneself by <take an oath> 3: to get in writing 4 a: to accept the tender of (as a promise) b: to accept (as an oath, affidavit, or deposition) in a legal capacity (as by administering or witnessing) 5 a: to set in motion <take an appeal> b: to claim or exercise as an option or right <take depreciation> 6: to put or set forth <take an exception> intransitive verb : to obtain ownership or possession of property <take free of a security interest>; specifically: to receive the title to an estate <take as an heir>—take the Fifth: to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination based on the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
[teyk-in] 
