take
We took a bus to Mexico City.
To use a particular form of transport or a particular road in order to go somewhere
We took a bus to Mexico City.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
take
verb (takes, taking, took /, has taken )
1 to move something or go with somebody to another place:
Take your coat with you – it's cold.
Mark took me to the station.
Look at the note at bring.
2 to put your hand round something and hold it:
Take this money – it's yours.
She took my hand and led me outside.
3 to remove something from a place or a person, often without asking them:
Somebody has taken my bike.
4 to eat or drink something:
Don't forget to take your medicine.
5 to agree to have something; to accept something:
If you take my advice you'll forget all about him.
6 to need an amount of time:
The journey took four hours.
It takes a long time to learn a language.
7 to travel in a bus, train, etc.:
I took a taxi to the hospital.
take after somebody to be or look like an older member of your family:
She takes after her mother.
take something away to remove somebody or something:
I took the scissors away from the child.
take something down to write something that somebody says:
He took down my address.
take off When a plane takes off, it leaves the ground and starts to fly. opposite land
take something off
1 to remove clothes from your body:
Take off your coat.
opposite put something on
2 to have time as a holiday, not working:
I am taking a week off in June.
take over, take something over to get control of something or look after something when another person stops:
Robert took over the business when his father died.
take up something to use or fill time or space:
The bed takes up half the room.
The new baby takes up all her time.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
take
I. take1 S1 W1 /teɪk/ BrE AmE verb (past tense took /tʊk/, past participle taken) /ˈteɪkən/
[Word Family: noun: ↑takings, ↑undertaking, ↑take, ↑taker; verb: ↑take, ↑overtake, ↑undertake]
[Date: 1000-1100; Language: Old Norse; Origin: taka]
1. MOVE [transitive] to move or go with someone or something from one place to another OPP bring
take somebody/something to/into etc something
Barney took us to the airport.
Would you mind taking Susie home?
When he refused to give his name, he was taken into custody.
My job has taken me all over the world.
take somebody/something with you
His wife went to Australia, taking the children with her.
take somebody something
I have to take Steve the money tonight.
take somebody to do something
He took me to meet his parents.
2. ACTION [transitive] used with a noun instead of using a verb to describe an action. For example, if you take a walk, you walk somewhere:
Would you like to take a look?
Mike’s just taking a shower.
Sara took a deep breath.
I waved, but he didn’t take any notice (=pretended not to notice). British English
Please take a seat (=sit down).
take a picture/photograph/photo
Would you mind taking a photo of us together?
3. REMOVE [transitive] to remove something from a place
take something off/from etc something
Take your feet off the seats.
Someone’s taken a pen from my desk.
Police say money and jewellery were taken in the raid. ⇨ TAKE AWAY
4. TIME/MONEY/EFFORT ETC [intransitive and transitive] if something takes a particular amount of time, money, effort etc, that amount of time etc is needed for it to happen or succeed:
How long is this going to take?
Organizing a successful street party takes a lot of energy.
take (somebody) something (to do something)
Repairs take time to carry out.
It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the dark.
take (somebody) ages/forever informal:
It took me ages to find a present for Dad.
take some doing British English informal (=need a lot of time or effort)
Catching up four goals will take some doing.
take courage/guts
It takes courage to admit you are wrong.
have what it takes informal (=to have the qualities that are needed for success)
Neil’s got what it takes to be a great footballer.
5. ACCEPT [transitive] to accept or choose something that is offered, suggested, or given to you:
Will you take the job?
Do you take American Express?
If you take my advice, you’ll see a doctor.
Our helpline takes 3.5 million calls (=telephone calls) a year.
Some doctors are unwilling to take new patients without a referral.
Liz found his criticisms hard to take.
I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer).
Staff have agreed to take a 2% pay cut.
take a hammering/beating (=be forced to accept defeat or a bad situation)
Small businesses took a hammering in the last recession.
I take your point/point taken (=used to say that you accept someone’s opinion)
take sb’s word for it/take it from somebody (=accept that what someone says is true)
That’s the truth – take it from me.
take the credit/blame/responsibility
He’s the kind of man who makes things happen but lets others take the credit.
take it as read/given (=↑assume that something is correct or certain, because you are sure that this is the case)
It isn’t official yet, but you can take it as read that you’ve got the contract.
6. HOLD SOMETHING [transitive] to get hold of something in your hands:
Let me take your coat.
Can you take this package while I get my wallet?
take somebody/something in/by something
I just wanted to take him in my arms.
7. TRAVEL [transitive] to use a particular form of transport or a particular road in order to go somewhere:
Let’s take a cab.
I took the first plane out.
Take the M6 to Junction 19.
8. STUDY [transitive] to study a particular subject in school or college for an examination:
Are you taking French next year?
9. TEST [transitive] to do an examination or test SYN sit British English:
Applicants are asked to take a written test.
10. SUITABLE [transitive not in progressive or passive] to be the correct or suitable size, type etc for a particular person or thing:
a car that takes low sulphur fuel
What size shoe do you take?
The elevator takes a maximum of 32 people.
11. COLLECT [transitive] to collect or gather something for a particular purpose:
Investigators will take samples of the wreckage to identify the cause.
take something from something
The police took a statement from both witnesses.
12. CONSIDER [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to react to someone or something or consider them in a particular way
take somebody/something seriously/badly/personally etc
I was joking, but he took me seriously.
Ben took the news very badly.
She does not take kindly to criticism (=reacts badly to criticism).
take something as something
I’ll take that remark as a compliment.
take something as evidence/proof (of something)
The presence of dust clouds has been taken as evidence of recent star formation.
take somebody/something to be something
I took her to be his daughter.
take somebody/something for something
Of course I won’t tell anyone! What do you take me for? (=what sort of person do you think I am?)
I take it (=I ↑assume) you’ve heard that Rick’s resigned.
13. FEELINGS [transitive usually + adverb] to have or experience a particular feeling
take delight/pleasure/pride etc in (doing) something
You should take pride in your work.
At first, he took no interest in the baby.
take pity on somebody
She stood feeling lost until an elderly man took pity on her.
take offence (=feel offended)
Don’t take offence. Roger says things like that to everybody.
take comfort from/in (doing) something
Investors can take comfort from the fact that the World Bank is underwriting the shares.
14. CONTROL [transitive] to get possession or control of something:
Enemy forces have taken the airport.
Both boys were taken prisoner.
take control/charge/power
The communists took power in 1948.
Youngsters need to take control of their own lives.
take the lead (=in a race, competition etc)
15. MEDICINE/DRUGS [transitive] to swallow, breathe in, ↑inject etc a drug or medicine:
The doctor will ask whether you are taking any medication.
Take two tablets before bedtime.
take drugs (=take illegal drugs)
Most teenagers start taking drugs through boredom.
She took an overdose after a row with her boyfriend.
16. do you take sugar/milk? spoken British English used to ask someone whether they like to have sugar or milk in a drink such as tea or coffee
17. LEVEL [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone or something go to a higher level or position
take something to/into something
The latest raise takes his salary into six figures.
Even if you have the talent to take you to the top, there’s no guarantee you’ll get there.
If you want to take it further, you should consult an attorney.
18. MEASURE [transitive] to measure the amount, level, rate etc of something:
Take the patient’s pulse first.
19. NUMBERS [transitive] to make a number smaller by a particular amount SYN subtract
take something away/take something (away) from something
‘Take four from nine and what do you get?’ ‘Five.’
Ten take away nine equals one.
20. MONEY [transitive] British English if a shop, business etc takes a particular amount of money, it receives that amount of money from its customers SYN take in American English:
The stall took £25 on Saturday.
21. somebody can take it or leave it
a) to neither like nor dislike something:
To some people, smoking is addictive. Others can take it or leave it.
b) used to say that you do not care whether someone accepts your offer or not
22. take somebody/something (for example) used to give an example of something you have just been talking about:
People love British cars. Take the Mini. In Japan, it still sells more than all the other British cars put together.
23. TEACH [transitive] British English to teach a particular group of students in a school or college
take somebody for something
Who takes you for English?
24. WRITE [transitive] to write down information:
Let me take your email address.
Sue offered to take notes.
25. take somebody out of themselves British English to make someone forget their problems and feel more confident:
Alf said joining the club would take me out of myself.
26. take a lot out of you/take it out of you to make you very tired:
Looking after a baby really takes it out of you.
27. take it upon/on yourself to do something formal to decide to do something without getting someone’s permission or approval first:
Reg took it upon himself to hand the press a list of names.
28. take something to bits/pieces British English to separate something into its different parts:
how to take an engine to bits
29. be taken with/by something to be attracted by a particular idea, plan, or person:
I’m quite taken by the idea of Christmas in Berlin.
30. be taken ill/sick formal to suddenly become ill
31. SEX [transitive] literary if a man takes someone, he has sex with them
32. take a bend/fence/corner etc to try to get over or around something in a particular way:
He took the bend at over 60 and lost control.
33. HAVE AN EFFECT [intransitive] if a treatment, ↑dye, drug etc takes, it begins to work successfully
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ take to move or go with someone or something from one place to another: Don’t forget to take your keys. | Shall I take you home? | I took Alice a cup of tea.
▪ bring to take someone or something to the place where you are now: We’ve brought someone to see you! | Will you bring your photos with you when you come?
▪ transport to take large quantities of goods from one place to another in a plane, train, ship etc: The plane is used for transporting military equipment. | The coal was transported by rail.
▪ deliver to take goods, letters, newspapers etc to someone’s home or office: Unfortunately, the package was delivered to the wrong address.
▪ fly to take someone or something somewhere by plane: The bread is specially flown in from Paris.
▪ ship to take goods from one place to another – this can be by ship, truck, plane, or train: Half the whisky is shipped to Japan and the US.
▪ carry to take people or goods somewhere – used especially when saying how many people or things, or what kind: The new plane can carry up to 600 passengers. | The ship was carrying a full cargo of oil.
▪ lead to take someone to a place by going in front of them: He led Julia through the house to his study. | Roland led the way back to the car in silence.
▪ guide to take someone to a place and show them the way: Emily guided him through a side gate into a large garden.
▪ escort to take someone to a place and protect or guard them: The prisoner was escorted into the room by two police officers. | The singer was escorted by her assistant and her bodyguard.
▪ usher to politely lead someone somewhere and show them where to go, especially because it is your job to do this: We were ushered into the lift by a man in uniform.
be taken aback phrasal verb
to be very surprised about something:
Emma was somewhat taken aback by his directness.
take after somebody phrasal verb [not in progressive]
to look or behave like an older relative:
Jenni really takes after her mother.
take somebody/something apart phrasal verb
1. to separate something into all its different parts OPP put together:
Tom was always taking things apart in the garage.
2. to search a place very thoroughly:
The police took the house apart looking for clues.
3. to beat someone very easily in a game, sport, fight etc
4. to show that someone is wrong or something is not true:
Tariq takes several gay myths apart in his book.
take against somebody/something phrasal verb British English
to begin to dislike someone or something, especially without a good reason:
Voters took against the relationship between the government and the unions in the 1970s.
take somebody/something ↔ away phrasal verb
1. to remove someone or something, or make something disappear:
She whisked the tray off the table and took it away.
He was taken away to begin a prison sentence.
This should take some of the pain away.
2. to take away British English if you buy food to take away, you buy cooked food from a restaurant and take it outside to eat it somewhere else ⇨ takeaway:
Fish and chips to take away, please.
3. take your breath away to be very beautiful, exciting, or surprising
take away from something phrasal verb
to spoil the good effect or success that something has:
The disagreement between the two men should not take away from their accomplishments.
take somebody/something ↔ back phrasal verb
1. take something ↔ back to admit that you were wrong to say something:
You’d better take back that remark!
2. take something ↔ back to take something you have bought back to a shop because it is not suitable:
If the shirt doesn’t fit, take it back.
3. to make you remember a time in the past:
Having the grandchildren around takes me back to the days when my own children were small.
take something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to move something that is fixed in a high position to a lower position:
She made us take down all the posters.
2. to write down information:
Can I just take some details down?
3. to pull a piece of clothing such as trousers part of the way down your legs
take somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
1. be taken in to be completely deceived by someone who lies to you:
Don’t be taken in by products claiming to help you lose weight in a week.
2. take somebody ↔ in to let someone stay in your house because they have nowhere else to stay:
Brett’s always taking in stray animals.
3. take something ↔ in to understand and remember new facts and information SYN absorb:
He watches the older kids, just taking it all in.
His eyes quickly took in the elegance of her dress.
4. take something ↔ in American English to collect or earn a particular amount of money SYN take British English
5. to visit a place while you are in the area:
They continued a few miles further to take in Hinton House.
6. American English old-fashioned if you take in a show, play etc, you go to see it
7. take somebody ↔ in British English old-fashioned if the police take someone in, they take them to a police station to ask them questions about a crime:
All five teenagers were arrested and taken in for questioning.
8. take something ↔ in to make a piece of clothing fit you by making it narrower OPP let out
take off phrasal verb
1. REMOVE take something ↔ off to remove a piece of clothing OPP put on:
He sat on the bed to take his boots off.
Charlie was taking off his shirt when the phone rang.
2. AIRCRAFT if an aircraft takes off, it rises into the air from the ground SYN lift off ⇨ takeoff:
I felt quite excited as the plane took off from Heathrow.
3. SUCCESS to suddenly start being successful:
Mimi became jealous when Jack’s career started taking off.
4. HOLIDAY take something off (something) to have a holiday from work on a particular day, or for a particular length of time
take time off (work/school)
I rang my boss and arranged to take some time off.
take a day/the afternoon etc off
Dad took the day off to come with me.
5. COPY SOMEBODY take somebody ↔ off British English informal to copy the way someone speaks or behaves, in order to entertain people
take somebody/something ↔ on phrasal verb
1. take somebody ↔ on to start to employ someone ⇨ hire:
We’re taking on 50 new staff this year.
2. take something ↔ on to agree to do some work or be responsible for something:
Don’t take on too much work – the extra cash isn’t worth it.
3. take something ↔ on to begin to have a particular quality or appearance:
Her face took on a fierce expression.
His life had taken on a new dimension.
4. take somebody ↔ on to compete against someone or start a fight with someone, especially someone bigger or better than you:
Nigeria will take on Argentina in the first round of the World Cup on Saturday.
He was prepared to take on anyone who laid a finger on us.
5. take something ↔ on if a plane or ship takes on people or things, they come onto it:
We stopped to take on fuel.
take somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. take somebody ↔ out to take someone as your guest to a restaurant, cinema, club etc
take somebody ↔ out for
We’re taking my folks out for a meal next week.
2. take something ↔ out to make a financial or legal arrangement with a bank, company, law court etc
take out a policy/injunction/loan etc
Before taking a loan out, calculate your monthly outgoings.
3. take something ↔ out to get money from your bank account SYN withdraw:
How much would you like to take out?
4. take something ↔ out to borrow books from a library:
You can take out six books at a time.
5. take somebody/something ↔ out informal to kill someone or destroy something:
The building was taken out by a bomb.
take something out on somebody phrasal verb
to treat someone badly when you are angry or upset, even though it is not their fault:
Don’t take it out on me just because you’ve had a bad day.
take your anger/frustration etc out on somebody
Irritated with herself, she took her annoyance out on Bridget.
take over phrasal verb
to take control of something ⇨ takeover
take something ↔ over
His only reason for investing in the company was to take it over.
Ruth moved into our apartment and promptly took over.
take to somebody/something phrasal verb [not in passive]
1. to start to like someone or something:
Sandra took to it straight away.
Charles was an odd character whom Kelly had never really taken to.
2. to start doing something regularly
take to doing something
Dee’s taken to getting up at 6 and going jogging.
3. take to your bed to get into your bed and stay there:
He was so depressed, he took to his bed for a week.
take something up phrasal verb
1. take something ↔ up to become interested in a new activity and to spend time doing it:
Roger took painting up for a while, but soon lost interest.
2. to start a new job or have a new responsibility:
Peter will take up the management of the finance department.
take up a post/a position/duties etc
The headteacher takes her duties up in August.
3. take something ↔ up if you take up a suggestion, problem, complaint etc, you start to do something about it:
Now the papers have taken up the story.
take something ↔ up with
The hospital manager has promised to take the matter up with the member of staff involved.
I am still very angry and will be taking it up with the authorities.
4. to fill a particular amount of time or space
be taken up with something
The little time I had outside of school was taken up with work.
take up space/room
old books that were taking up space in the office
5. take something ↔ up to accept a suggestion, offer, or idea:
Rob took up the invitation to visit.
take up the challenge/gauntlet
Rick took up the challenge and cycled the 250 mile route alone.
6. to move to the exact place where you should be, so that you are ready to do something:
The runners are taking up their positions on the starting line.
7. take something ↔ up to make a piece of clothing shorter OPP let down
8. take something ↔ up to continue a story or activity that you or someone else had begun, after a short break:
I’ll take up the story where you left off.
take somebody up on something phrasal verb
to accept an invitation or suggestion
take somebody up on an offer/a promise/a suggestion etc
I’ll take you up on that offer of a drink, if it still stands.
take up with somebody/something phrasal verb
old-fashioned to become friendly with someone, especially someone who may influence you badly
II. take2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑takings, ↑undertaking, ↑take, ↑taker; verb: ↑take, ↑overtake, ↑undertake]
1. [countable] an occasion when a film scene, song, action etc is recorded:
We had to do six takes for this particular scene.
2. sb’s take (on something) someone’s opinion about a situation or idea:
What’s your take on this issue?
3. be on the take informal to be willing to do something wrong in return for money:
Is it true that some of the generals are on the take?
4. [usually singular] American English informal the amount of money earned by a shop or business in a particular period of time
• • •
THESAURUS
■ what you say when giving examples
▪ for example used when giving an example: Prices have risen sharply. The price of gasoline, for example, has risen by over 50%. | Nepal has many attractions for visitors. For example, you can go trekking in the Himalayas, or see tigers in Chitwan National Park.
▪ for instance used when giving an example. For instance is slightly less formal than for example and is used more in spoken English: There were many unanswered questions. For instance, where was the money going to come from? | Some people are really good languages. Take Katie, for instance.
▪ eg/e.g. written used when giving an example or a list of examples. Don’t use eg in formal writing – use the full phrase for example: Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, fish, eggs, milk, or cheese.
▪ such as especially written used when giving one or two typical examples when there are many others: It is difficult to get even basic foods such as bread and sugar.
▪ take spoken used when giving a particular example as a way of proving that what you are saying is correct: Take John – he has a good job but he didn’t go to university. | It is possible to recover from some types of cancer. Take skin cancer, for example.
▪ be a case in point used when emphasizing that someone or something is a good or typical example of what you have just mentioned: Some birds have returned to Britain after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
take
take [take takes took taking taken] verb, noun [teɪk] [teɪk]
verb (took [tʊk] ; [tʊk] taken [ˈteɪkən] ; [ˈteɪkən] )
CARRY/LEAD
1. transitive to carry or move sth from one place to another
• ~ sth (with you) I forgot to take my bag with me when I got off the bus.
• ~ sth to sb/sth Take this to the bank for me, would you?
• Shall I take a gift to my host family?
• ~ sb sth Shall I take my host family a gift?
2. transitive to go with sb from one place to another, especially to guide or lead them
• ~ sb It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
• ~ sb to sth A boy took us to our room.
• ~ sb doing sth I'm taking the kids swimming later.
• ~ sb to do sth The boys were taken to see their grandparents most weekends.
3. transitive ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. to make sb/sth go from one level, situation, etc. to another
• Her energy and talent took her to the top of her profession.
• The new loan takes the total debt to $100 000.
• I'd like to take my argument a stage further.
• He believes he has the skills to take the club forward.
• We'll take the matter forward at our next meeting (= discuss it further).
REACH AND HOLD
4. transitive ~ sb/sth to put your hands or arms around sb/sth and hold them/it; to reach for sb/sth and hold them/it
• I passed him the rope and he took it.
• Free newspapers: please take one.
• Can you take (= hold) the baby for a moment?
• He took her hand/took her by the hand (= held her hand, for example to lead her somewhere).
• She took the child in her arms and kissed him.
REMOVE
5. transitive ~ sth/sb + adv./prep. to remove sth/sb from a place or a person
• Will you take your books off the table?
• The sign must be taken down.
• He took some keys out of his pocket.
• My name had been taken off the list.
• She was playing with a knife, so I took it away from her.
• (informal) She was playing with a knife, so I took it off her.
• (figurative) The new sports centre will take the pressure off the old one.
6. transitive ~ sth to remove sth without permission or by mistake
• Someone has taken my scarf.
• Did the burglars take anything valuable?
• (figurative) The storms took the lives of 50 people.
7. transitive to get sth from a particular source
• ~ sth from sth The scientists are taking water samples from the river.
• The machine takes its name from its inventor.
• ~ sth out of sth Part of her article is taken straight (= copied) out of my book.
CAPTURE
8. transitive to capture a place or person; to get control of sth
• ~ sth (from sb) The rebels succeeded in taking the town.
• The state has taken control of the company.
• ~ sb + noun The rebels took him prisoner.
• He was taken prisoner by the rebels.
CHOOSE/BUY
9. transitive ~ sth to choose, buy or rent sth
• I'll take the grey jacket.
• We took a room at the hotel for two nights.
10. transitive ~ sth (formal) to buy a newspaper or magazine regularly
• We take the ‘Express’.
EAT/DRINK
11. transitive ~ sth to eat, drink, etc. sth
• Do you take sugar in your coffee?
• The doctor has given me some medicine to take for my cough.
• He started taking drugs (= illegal drugs) at college.
MATHEMATICS
12. transitive ~ A (away) from B | B ~ away A | ~ A away (not used in the progressive tenses) to reduce one number by the value of another
Syn: subtract
• Take 5 from 12 and you're left with 7.
• (informal) 80 take away 5 is 75.
WRITE DOWN
13. transitive ~ sth to find out and record sth; to write sth down
• The police officer took my name and address.
• Did you take notes in the class?
PHOTOGRAPH
14. transitive ~ sth to photograph sb/sth
• to take a photograph/picture/snapshot of sb/sth
• to have your picture/photo taken
MEASUREMENT
15. transitive ~ sth to test or measure sth
• to take sb's temperature
• I need to have my blood pressure taken.
SEAT
16. transitive ~ sth to sit down in or use a chair, etc
• Are these seats taken?
• Come in; take a seat.
GIVE EXAMPLE
17. transitive ~ sb/sth used to introduce sb/sth as an example
• Lots of couples have problems in the first year of marriage. Take Ann and Paul.
ACCEPT/RECEIVE
18. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses or in the passive) ~ sth to accept or receive sth
• If they offer me the job, I'll take it.
• She was accused of taking bribes.
• Does the hotel take credit cards?
• I'll take the call in my office.
• Why should I take the blame for somebody else's mistakes?
• If you take my advice you'll have nothing more to do with him.
• Will you take $10 for the book (= will you sell it for $10)?
• The store took (= sold goods worth) $100 000 last week.
19. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sb to accept sb as a customer, patient, etc
• The school doesn't take boys (= only has girls).
• The dentist can't take any new patients.
20. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to experience or be affected by sth
• The school took the full force of the explosion.
• Can the ropes take the strain (= not break)?
• The team took a terrible beating.
21. transitive, no passive ~ sth (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to be able to bear sth
• She can't take criticism.
• I don't think I can take much more of this heat.
• I find his attitude a little hard to take.
22. transitive ~ sth/sb + adv./prep. to react to sth/sb in a particular way
• He took the criticism surprisingly well.
• These threats are not to be taken lightly.
• I wish you'd take me seriously.
• She took it in the spirit in which it was intended.
CONSIDER
23. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or consider sth in a particular way
• ~ sth (as sth) She took what he said as a compliment.
• How am I supposed to take that remark?
• Taken overall, the project was a success.
• ~ sth to do sth What did you take his comments to mean?
24. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to consider sb/sth to be sb/sth, especially when you are wrong
• ~ sb/sth for sb/sth Even the experts took the painting for a genuine Van Gogh.
• Of course I didn't do it! What do you take me for (= what sort of person do you think I am)?
• ~ sb/sth to be sb/sth I took the man with him to be his father.
HAVE FEELING/OPINION
25. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to have a particular feeling, opinion or attitude
• My parents always took an interest in my hobbies.
• Don't take offence (= be offended) at what I said.
• I took a dislike to him.
• He takes the view that children are responsible for their own actions.
ACTION
26. transitive ~ sth to use a particular course of action in order to deal with or achieve sth
• The government is taking action to combat drug abuse.
• We need to take a different approach to the problem.
27. transitive ~ sth used with nouns to say that sb is doing sth, performing an action, etc.
• to take a step/walk/stroll
• to take a bath/shower/wash
• to take a look/glance
• to take a bite/drink/sip
• to take a deep breath
• to take a break/rest
• (BrE) No decision will be taken on the matter until next week.
FORM/POSITION
28. transitive ~ sth to have a particular form, position or state
• Our next class will take the form of a debate.
• The new President takes office in January.
TIME
29. transitive, no passive, intransitive to need or require a particular amount of time
• ~ sth The journey to the airport takes about half an hour.
• ~ sth to do sth It takes about half an hour to get to the airport.
• That cut is taking a long time to heal.
• The official seemed to take hours to examine my passport.
• ~ sb sth (to do sth) It took her three hours to repair her bike.
• It'll take her time to recover from the illness.
• ~ sth for sb to do sth It'll take time (= take a long time) for her to recover from the illness.
• + adv. I need a shower— I won't take long.
NEED
30. transitive, no passive to need or require sth in order to happen or be done
• ~ sb/sth to do sth It only takes one careless driver to cause an accident.
• It doesn't take much to make her angry.
• ~ sth (informal) He didn't take much persuading (= he was easily persuaded).
31. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth (of machines, etc.) to use sth in order to work
• All new cars take unleaded petrol.
SIZE OF SHOES/CLOTHES
32. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to wear a particular size in shoes or clothes
• What size shoes do you take?
HOLD/CONTAIN
33. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth/sb to have enough space for sth/sb; to be able to hold or contain a particular quantity
• The bus can take 60 passengers.
• The tank takes 50 litres.
TEACH/LEAD
34. transitive ~ sb (for sth) | ~ sth to be the teacher or leader in a class or a religious service
• The head teacher usually takes us for French.
• Mr Perkins took the morning service.
STUDY
35. transitive ~ sth to study a subject at school, college, etc
• She is planning to take a computer course.
• How many subjects are you taking this year?
EXAM
36. transitive ~ sth to do an exam or a test
• When did you take your driving test?
TRANSPORT/ROAD
37. transitive ~ sth to use a form of transport, a road, a path, etc. to go to a place
• to take the bus/plane/train
• to take a cab
• Take the second road on the right.
• It's more interesting to take the coast road.
GO OVER/AROUND
38. transitive ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) to go over or around sth
• The horse took the first fence well.
• He takes bends much too fast.
IN SPORTS
39. transitive ~ sth (of a player in a sports game) to kick or throw the ball from a fixed or agreed position
• to take a penalty/free kick/corner
VOTE/SURVEY
40. transitive ~ sth to use a particular method to find out people's opinions
• to take a vote/poll/survey
BE SUCCESSFUL
41. intransitive to be successful; to work
• The skin graft failed to take.
GRAMMAR
42. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth (of verbs, nouns, etc.) to have or require sth when used in a sentence or other structure
• The verb ‘rely’ takes the preposition ‘on’.
Rem: Most idioms containing take are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example take the biscuit is at biscuit.
Word Origin:
late Old English tacan ‘get (especially by force), capture’, from Old Norse taka ‘grasp, lay hold of’, of unknown ultimate origin.
Synonyms:
cheat
fool • deceive • betray • take in • trick • con
These words all mean to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to get what you want.
cheat • to make sb believe sth that is not true, in order to get money or sth else from them: ▪ She is accused of attempting to cheat the taxman. ◊ ▪ He cheated his way into the job.
Cheat also means to act in a dishonest way in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, competition or exam: ▪ You're not allowed to look at the answers— ▪ that's cheating ▪.
fool • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to laugh at them or to get what you want: ▪ Just don't be fooled into investing any money with them.
deceive • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially sb who trusts you, in order to get what you want: ▪ She deceived him into handing over all his savings.
betray • to hurt sb who trusts you, especially by deceiving them or not being loyal to them: ▪ She felt betrayed when she found out the truth about him.
take sb in • [often passive] to deceive sb, usually in order to get what you want: ▪ I was taken in by her story.
trick • to deceive sb, especially in a clever way, in order to get what you want.
con • (informal) to deceive sb, especially in order to get money from them or get them to do sth for you: ▪ They had been conned out of £100 000.
which word?
Many of these words involve making sb believe sth that is not true, but some of them are more disapproving than others. Deceive is probably the worst because people typically deceive friends, relations and others who know and trust them. People may feel cheated/betrayed by sb in authority who they trusted to look after their interests. If sb takes you in, they may do it by acting a part and using words and charm effectively. If sb cheats/fools/tricks/cons you, they may get sth from you and make you feel stupid. However, sb might fool you just as a joke; and to trick sb is sometimes seen as a clever thing to do, if the person being tricked is seen as a bad person who deserves it.
to cheat/fool/trick/con sb out of sth
to cheat/fool/deceive/betray/trick/con sb into doing sth
to feel cheated/fooled/deceived/betrayed/tricked/conned
to fool/deceive yourself
to cheat/trick/con your way into sth
Synonyms:
sit
sit down • be seated • take a seat • perch
These words all mean to rest your weight on your bottom with your back upright, for example on a chair.
sit • to rest your weight on your bottom with your back upright, for example on a chair: ▪ May I sit here? ◊ ▪ Sit still, will you!
Sit is usually used with an adverb or prepositional phrase to show where or how sb sits, but sometimes another phrase or clause is used to show what sb does while they are sitting: ▪ We sat talking for hours.
sit down/ • sit yourself down • to move from a standing position to a sitting position: ▪ Please sit down. ◊ ▪ Come in and sit yourselves down.
be seated • (formal) to be sitting: ▪ She was seated at the head of the table.
Be seated is often used as a formal way of inviting sb to sit down: ▪ Please be seated.
take a seat • to sit down Take a seat is used especially as a polite way of inviting sb to sit down: ▪ Please take a seat.
perch • (rather informal) to sit on sth, especially on the edge of sth: ▪ She perched herself on the edge of the bed.
Perch is always used with an adverb or prepositional phrase to show where sb is perching.
to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat/perch on sth
to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat in sth
Synonyms:
take
lead • escort • drive • show • walk • guide • usher • direct
These words all mean to go with sb from one place to another.
take • to go with sb from one place to another, for example in order to show them sth or to show them the way to a place: ▪ It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
lead • to go with or go in front of sb in order to show them the way or to make them go in the right direction: ▪ Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
escort • to go with sb in order to protect or guard them or to show them the way: ▪ The president arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
drive • to take sb somewhere in a car, taxi, etc: ▪ My mother drove us to the airport.
show • to take sb to a particular place, in the right direction, or along the correct route: ▪ The attendant showed us to our seats.
walk • to go somewhere with sb on foot, especially in order to make sure that they get there safely; to take an animal, especially a dog, for a walk or make an animal walk somewhere: ▪ He always walked her home. ◊ ▪ Have you walked the dog yet today?
guide • to show sb the way to a place, often by going with them; to show sb a place that you know well: ▪ She guided us through the busy streets. ◊ ▪ We were guided around the museums.
usher • (rather formal) to politely take or show sb where they should go, especially within a building: ▪ She ushered her guests to their seats.
direct • (rather formal) to tell or show sb how to get somewhere or where to go: ▪ A young woman directed them to the station.
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide/usher/direct sb to/out of/into sth
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide sb around/round
to take/lead/escort/drive/walk sb home
to take/lead/escort/guide sb to safety
to lead/show the way
Which Word?:
last / take
Last and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues.
Last is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues: ▪ How long do you think this storm will last? ◊ ▪ The movie lasted over two hours. Last does not always need an expression of time: ▪ His annoyance won’t last. Last is also used to say that you have enough of something: ▪ We don’t have enough money to last until next month.
Take is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time: ▪ It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work. ◊ ▪ How long will the flight take? ◊ ▪ The water took ages to boil.
Example Bank:
• Harry took his rejection philosophically.
• He took what I said as a criticism.
• I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
• She took the news of her father's death very badly.
• They won't take kindly to being ordered about.
• 28 take away 5 is 23.
• A military junta took control of the country.
• All she had taken was her passport and driving licence.
• Can you take the baby for a moment?
• England failed to take their chances and had to settle for a draw.
• Even the experts took the painting to be a genuine Van Gogh.
• He started taking drugs at college.
• He took her hand/took her by the hand.
• He took the bend much too fast.
• He's not the fool you take him for.
• I asked them if they'd take me with them.
• I don't think I can take much more of this heat.
• I find his attitude a little hard to take.
• I mistakenly took her for the Senator's wife.
• I need a shower— I won't take long.
• I wish you'd take me seriously.
• I'll take the call in my office.
• I'll take the grey jacket.
• I'm afraid your husband has taken a turn for the worse.
• I'm taking the kids swimming later.
• If they offer me the job, I'll take it.
• If you choose deceit, then you must take the consequences of your actions.
• If you take my advice you'll have nothing more to do with him.
• It takes about half an hour to get to the airport.
• It was clear that she wasn't going to take any nonsense.
• It'll take her time to recover from the illness.
• It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
• My things had already been taken to my room.
• Of course I didn't do it! What do you take me for?
• Part of her article is taken straight out of my book.
• Please remember to take all your belongings with you when you leave the bus.
• She can't take criticism.
• She took her bags along with her.
• She's taken a nasty fall and has her leg in plaster.
• Should I take him a gift?
• Take 5 from 12 and you're left with 7.
• Take the initiative and fill your life with exciting experiences.
• The bank robbers took several employees hostage.
• The boy took us to our rooms.
• The dentist can't take any new patients.
• The horse took the jump safely but then stumbled.
• The school doesn't take boys.
• The store took $100 000 last week.
• They took the night train to Vienna.
• They were taken to see their grandparents most weekends.
• Think about what you need to take for the trip.
• We took a bus south to Cairo.
• We took a ferry across to the island.
• When the bus stopped for fuel, we took the opportunity to get something to eat.
• Why should I take the blame for somebody else's mistakes?
• Will you take $10 for the book?
• You fly to Brussels and take the train to Bruges.
• You should take her home soon.
• You'll have to take a taxi. There's no other way of getting there.
• take a cheque/credit card/£50 note
• take a job
• take a particular amount of money for sth
Idioms: I/you can't take somebody anywhere ▪ have what it takes ▪ on the take ▪ somebody can take it or leave it ▪ take a lot of doing ▪ take a lot out of somebody ▪ take it ▪ take it from me ▪ take it on yourself to do something ▪ take somebody as they come ▪ take something as it comes ▪ take that!
Derived: take after somebody ▪ take against somebody ▪ take away from something ▪ take it out on somebody ▪ take off ▪ take over ▪ take somebody aback ▪ take somebody apart ▪ take somebody back ▪ take somebody in ▪ take somebody off ▪ take somebody off something ▪ take somebody on ▪ take somebody out ▪ take somebody out of himself/ herself ▪ take somebody through something ▪ take somebody up on something ▪ take something apart ▪ take something away ▪ take something back ▪ take something down ▪ take something in ▪ take something off ▪ take something off something ▪ take something on ▪ take something out ▪ take something out of something ▪ take something over ▪ take something up ▪ take something up with somebody ▪ take to somebody ▪ take to something ▪ take up ▪ take up something ▪ take up with somebody ▪ take yourself off ▪ taken up with somebody ▪ taken with somebody
noun
1. a scene or part of a film/movie that is filmed at one time without stopping the camera
• We managed to get it right in just two takes.
2. usually singular (informal) an amount of money that sb receives, especially the money that is earned by a business during a particular period of time
Syn: takings
• How much is my share of the take?
3. ~ on sth (informal) the particular opinion or idea that sb has about sth
• What's his take on the plan?
• a new take on the Romeo and Juliet story (= a way of presenting it)
see also double take
Word Origin:
late Old English tacan ‘get (especially by force), capture’, from Old Norse taka ‘grasp, lay hold of’, of unknown ultimate origin.
Example Bank:
• The auction was predicted to make $20 million, but the actual take turned out to be half that figure.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
take
take (FILM) /teɪk/
noun [C]
the filming of a scene (= small part of a film):
This scene of the film needed ten takes before we felt it was right.
take (PERFORM WELL) /teɪk/
verb [I] took, taken
to work or perform as expected:
These new plants haven't taken - they don't like this dry soil.
take (TRANSPORT) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to travel somewhere by using a particular form of transport or a particular vehicle, route, etc:
I always take the train - it's less hassle than a car.
She took the 10.30 flight to Edinburgh.
If you take the road on the left, you'll come to the post office.
take (WRITE) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to write:
I hope you're all taking notes.
take (MONEY) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to receive money from sales or as payment for entrance to an event:
The show took $100 000 in its first week.
See also takings.
take /teɪk/
noun [U]
The box office take (= money received from payments) was huge for the new show.
take (REACTION) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to have or come to have a particular feeling or opinion:
He doesn't take any interest in his children.
Don't take any notice of the cameras.
She takes offence too easily.
They took pity on the stray cat and fed it.
I take the view that fuel should be heavily taxed to reduce road use.
take (ACT) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
1 to do or perform:
The Archbishop took our service of thanksgiving.
Shelley is taking (= studying) economics at university.
UK Mr Marshall takes us for (= teaches us) physics.
2 used with many nouns to make a verb phrase that is equal in meaning to the related verb:
I think we'll take a break (= we'll stop for a break) there.
If you're tired you should take a rest (= you should rest).
I always like to take a walk (= to walk) after lunch.
take (NEED) /teɪk/
verb took, taken
1 [T] to need:
Parachuting takes a lot of nerve.
I take a size five in shoes.
Transitive verbs take a direct object.
[+ ing form of verb] His story took some believing (= was difficult to believe).
2 [L only + noun] If something takes a particular time, that period is needed in order to complete it:
The cooking process only takes ten minutes.
[+ to infinitive] How long does this paint take to dry?
[+ object + noun] It took us all day to drive home.
take (GO WITH) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
1 to go somewhere with someone, often paying for them or being responsible for them:
We're taking the children to the zoo on Saturday.
[+ to infinitive] I took my elderly parents to look at some new houses.
[+ ing form of verb] Will you take me swimming tomorrow?
2 to show someone how to get to somewhere by going there with them:
Let me take you to your room.
3 to go to a social event with someone:
Who's taking you to the dance?
take (MOVE) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to move something or someone from one place to another:
The weather forecast said rain, so take your umbrella (with you) when you go out.
The suitcases were taken to Madrid by mistake.
Take the book up/down to the third floor of the library.
[+ two objects] I suggested that he should take her some chocolates/take some chocolates to her (= bring them to her as a present).
take (CATCH) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to get possession of something or someone:
Rebels ambushed the train and took several prisoners.
The Liberals need just 200 more votes to take the seat from Labour.
Centre-left parties look set to take power.
Adam, I'd like you to take control of the aircraft now.
take (HOLD) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
to move in order to hold something in the hand(s):
Can you take this bag while I open the door?
He took my arm and led me outside.
Take an egg and break it into the bowl.
He took hold of the plant's root and pulled.
take (ACCEPT) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
1 to accept or have:
Do they take credit cards here?
Do you take milk in your tea?
Take this medicine three times a day.
This container will take (= has room for) six litres.
Which newspaper do you take (= regularly buy)?
We're taking the bomb threats very seriously.
He continually abuses her, and she just sits there and takes it.
If you think I'm going to take that lying down (= accept it without complaining), you're very much mistaken.
I take the/your point (= accept the argument), but I still don't think you should have gone.
2 used when you want to mention something as a particular example of what you are talking about:
I've been very busy recently. Take last week, I had meetings on four evenings.
3 take to be/take for If you take someone or something to be something, or if you take them for something, you accept or believe that they are that thing:
[+ to infinitive] These creatures are generally taken to be descended from primitive fishes.
I could have taken him for (= believed that he was) your brother.
I'm not going to forge his signature for you! What do you take me for? (= You should not believe I could do a thing like that.)
taker /ˈteɪ.kəʳ/ US /-kɚ/
noun
few/no/not many takers few/no/not many people interested in what has been offered:
I put an advert in the paper to sell my bike but I haven't had any takers.
take (REMOVE) /teɪk/
verb [T] took, taken
1 to remove something, especially without permission:
Has anything been taken (= stolen)?
Here's your pen, I took it by mistake.
All possessions had been taken from her.
2 to subtract a number:
If you take 4 from 12 you get 8.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
take
I. USED WITH NOUNS DESCRIBING ACTIONS
/teɪk/
(takes, taking, took, taken)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Note: 'Take' is used in combination with a wide range of nouns, where the meaning of the combination is mostly given by the noun. Many of these combinations are common idiomatic expressions whose meanings can be found at the appropriate nouns. For example, the expression 'take care' is explained at 'care'.
1.
You can use take followed by a noun to talk about an action or event, when it would also be possible to use the verb that is related to that noun. For example, you can say ‘she took a shower’ instead of ‘she showered’.
Betty took a photograph of us...
I’ve never taken a holiday since starting this job...
There’s not enough people willing to take the risk...
VERB: V n, V n, V n
2.
In ordinary spoken or written English, people use take with a range of nouns instead of using a more specific verb. For example people often say ‘he took control’ or ‘she took a positive attitude’ instead of ‘he assumed control’ or ‘she adopted a positive attitude’.
The Patriotic Front took power after a three-month civil war...
I felt it was important for women to join and take a leading role...
VERB: V n, V n
II. OTHER USES
/teɪk/
(takes, taking, took, taken)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Please look at category 46 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1.
If you take something, you reach out for it and hold it.
Here, let me take your coat...
Colette took her by the shoulders and shook her...
She took her in her arms and tried to comfort her.
VERB: V n, V n by n, V n prep
2.
If you take something with you when you go somewhere, you carry it or have it with you.
Mark often took his books to Bess’s house to study...
You should take your passport with you when changing money...
Don’t forget to take your camera.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n with n, V n
3.
If a person, vehicle, or path takes someone somewhere, they transport or lead them there.
The school bus takes them to school and brings them back...
VERB: V n prep/adv
4.
If something such as a job or interest takes you to a place, it is the reason for you going there.
He was a poor student from Madras whose genius took him to Cambridge...
VERB: V n prep/adv
5.
If you take something such as your problems or your business to someone, you go to that person when you have problems you want to discuss or things you want to buy.
You need to take your problems to a trained counsellor...
VERB: V n prep/adv
6.
If one thing takes another to a particular level, condition, or state, it causes it to reach that level or condition.
Her latest research takes her point further.
VERB: V n prep/adv
7.
If you take something from a place, you remove it from there.
He took a handkerchief from his pocket and lightly wiped his mouth...
Opening a drawer, she took out a letter.
VERB: V n with prep/adv, V n with prep/adv
8.
If you take something from someone who owns it, you steal it or go away with it without their permission.
He has taken my money, and I have no chance of getting it back...
VERB: V n
9.
If an army or political party takes something or someone, they win them from their enemy or opponent.
Marines went in, taking 15 prisoners...
VERB: V n
10.
If you take one number or amount from another, you subtract it or deduct it.
Take off the price of the house, that’s another hundred thousand.
VERB: V n with adv/prep
11.
If you cannot take something difficult, painful, or annoying, you cannot tolerate it without becoming upset, ill, or angry.
Don’t ever ask me to look after those kids again. I just can’t take it!...
= stand, bear
VERB: no passive, usu with brd-neg, V n
12.
If you take something such as damage or loss, you suffer it, especially in war or in a battle.
They have taken heavy casualties.
VERB: V n
13.
If something takes a certain amount of time, that amount of time is needed in order to do it.
Since the roads are very bad, the journey took us a long time...
I had heard an appeal could take years...
The sauce takes 25 minutes to prepare and cook...
The game took her less than an hour to finish...
You must beware of those traps–you could take all day getting out of them...
It takes 15 minutes to convert the plane into a car by removing the wings and the tail...
It had taken Masters about twenty hours to reach the house...
It took thirty-five seconds for the hour to strike.
VERB: no passive, V n n, V n, V n to-inf, V n n to-inf, V n -ing, it V n to-inf, it V n n to-inf, it V n for n to-inf
14.
If something takes a particular quality or thing, that quality or thing is needed in order to do it.
At one time, walking across the room took all her strength...
It takes courage to say what you think...
It takes a pretty bad level of performance before the teachers will criticize the students.
= need
VERB: no passive, V n, it V n to-inf, it V n before cl
15.
If you take something that is given or offered to you, you agree to accept it.
His sons took his advice.
= accept
VERB: V n
16.
If you take a feeling such as pleasure, pride, or delight in a particular thing or activity, the thing or activity gives you that feeling.
They take great pride in their heritage...
The government will take comfort from the latest opinion poll.
= derive
VERB: V n in n/-ing, V n from n/-ing
17.
If a shop, restaurant, theatre, or other business takes a certain amount of money, they get that amount from people buying goods or services. (mainly BRIT BUSINESS; in AM, usually use take in)
The firm took £100,000 in bookings.
VERB: V amount
18.
You can use take to refer to the amount of money that a business such as a store or theatre gets from selling its goods or tickets during a particular period. (mainly AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, usually use takings)
It added another $11.8 million to the take, for a grand total of $43 million.
N-SING: usu the N
19.
If you take a prize or medal, you win it.
‘Poison’ took first prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival...
VERB: V n
20.
If you take the blame, responsibility, or credit for something, you agree to accept it.
His brother Raoul did it, but Leonel took the blame and kept his mouth shut...
= accept
VERB: V n
21.
If you take patients or clients, you accept them as your patients or clients.
Some universities would be forced to take more students than they wanted...
VERB: V n
22.
If you take a telephone call, you speak to someone who is telephoning you.
Douglas telephoned Catherine at her office. She refused to take his calls.
VERB: V n
23.
If you take something in a particular way, you react in the way mentioned to a situation or to someone’s beliefs or behaviour.
Unfortunately, no one took my messages seriously...
VERB: V n adv/prep
24.
You use take when you are discussing or explaining a particular question, in order to introduce an example or to say how the question is being considered.
There’s confusion and resentment, and it’s almost never expressed out in the open. Take this office, for example...
= consider
VERB: usu imper, V n
25.
If you take someone’s meaning or point, you understand and accept what they are saying.
They’ve turned sensible, if you take my meaning...
VERB: V n
26.
If you take someone for something, you believe wrongly that they are that thing.
She had taken him for a journalist...
I naturally took him to be the owner of the estate.
VERB: V n for n, V n to-inf
27.
If you take something from among a number of things, you choose to have or buy it.
‘I’ll take the grilled tuna,’ Mary Ann told the waiter.
VERB: V n
28.
If you take a road or route, you choose to travel along it.
From Wrexham centre take the Chester Road to the outskirts of town...
The road forked in two directions. He had obviously taken the wrong fork.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n
29.
If you take a car, train, bus, or plane, you use it to go from one place to another.
It’s the other end of the High Street. We’ll take the car, shall we?...
She took the train to New York every weekend...
VERB: V n, V n prep/adv
30.
If you take a subject or course at school or university, you choose to study it.
Students are allowed to take European history and American history.
VERB: V n
31.
If you take a test or examination, you do it in order to obtain a qualification.
She took her driving test in Greenford...
VERB: V n
32.
If you take someone for a subject, you give them lessons in that subject. (mainly BRIT)
The teacher who took us for economics was Miss Humphrey.
= teach
VERB: V n for n
33.
If someone takes drugs, pills, or other medicines, they take them into their body, for example by swallowing them.
She’s been taking sleeping pills...
VERB: V n
34.
If you take a note or a letter, you write down something you want to remember or the words that someone says.
She sat expressionless, carefully taking notes...
VERB: V n
35.
If you take a particular measurement, you use special equipment to find out what something measures.
If he feels hotter than normal, take his temperature.
VERB: V n
36.
If a place or container takes a particular amount or number, there is enough space for that amount or number.
The place could just about take 2,000 people.
VERB: no passive, V amount
37.
If you take a particular size in shoes or clothes, that size fits you.
47 per cent of women in the UK take a size 16 or above.
VERB: V n
38.
A take is a short piece of action which is filmed in one continuous process for a cinema or television film.
She couldn’t get it right–she never knew the lines and we had to do several takes.
N-COUNT
39.
Someone’s take on a particular situation or fact is their attitude to it or their interpretation of it.
What’s your take on the new government? Do you think it can work?...
= perspective
N-SING: N on n, usu supp N
40.
You can say ‘I take it’ to check with someone that what you believe to be the case or what you understand them to mean is in fact the case, or is in fact what they mean.
I take it you’re a friend of the Kellings, Mr Burr...
= I presume
PHRASE: PHR with cl, oft PHR that
41.
You can say ‘take it from me’ to tell someone that you are absolutely sure that what you are saying is correct, and that they should believe you.
Take it from me–this is the greatest achievement by any Formula One driver ever.
= believe me
PHRASE: PHR with cl
42.
If you say to someone ‘take it or leave it’, you are telling them that they can accept something or not accept it, but that you are not prepared to discuss any other alternatives.
A 72-hour week, 12 hours a day, six days a week, take it or leave it.
CONVENTION
43.
If someone takes an insult or attack lying down, they accept it without protesting.
The government is not taking such criticism lying down.
PHRASE: take inflects
44.
If something takes a lot out of you or takes it out of you, it requires a lot of energy or effort and makes you feel very tired and weak afterwards.
He looked tired, as if the argument had taken a lot out of him...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
45.
If someone tells you to take five or to take ten, they are telling you to have a five or ten minute break from what you are doing. (mainly AM INFORMAL)
PHRASE: V inflects
46.
to be taken aback: see aback
to take up arms: see arm
to take the biscuit: see biscuit
to take the bull by the horns: see bull
to take your hat off to someone: see hat
to take the mickey: see mickey
to take the piss out of someone: see piss
to take something as read: see read
to be taken for a ride: see ride
to take someone by surprise: see surprise
take my word for it: see word
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1take /ˈteɪk/ verb took /ˈtʊk/; tak·en /ˈteɪkən/; tak·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to carry or move (something) to a place
• She took her things to her room.
• It looks like rain. You had better take an umbrella with you.
b : to carry and give (something) to a person
• Take this note to your teacher, please. = Take your teacher this note, please.
c : to carry, move, or lead (someone) to a place
• This bus takes you downtown.
• Her office is down that hallway. I can take you there, if you want me to.
• He was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
• If you're going to the store, would you mind taking me (along) with you?
• She took us for a ride in her new car.
• He's not the kind of guy you can take home to meet your parents.
• I took him aside [=to a place that is away from other people] and told him what had happened.
• She took her child to one/the side and scolded him.
- sometimes used figuratively
• She took her team [=she helped her team go] to the state finals.
• Her landlord threatened to take her to court. [=to start a lawsuit against her; to sue her]
• He took me to the cleaners. [=he got most of my money in an unfair way]
usage The verbs bring and take are sometimes used in a way that shows that they have opposite meanings. When this is true, bring suggests that something is moving toward someone or something, and take suggests that something is moving away.
• Here, I brought you some flowers.
• May I take your luggage to your room for you?
2 [+ obj] : to begin to hold (someone or something) with your fingers, arms, etc.
• I took the pen and signed my name.
• Take the pan by the handle.
• He took her by the hand.
• He took her hand and looked into her eyes.
• She took her son in her arms. [=she put her arms around him]
• Please, take a free sample.
3 [+ obj] : to remove (something) from a place, a person's hand, etc. - often + from
• She took the letter (from him) and read it aloud.
• He took a beer from the fridge.
• We'll have to take some blood from your arm.
4 [+ obj]
a : to get (something) : to gain possession of (something)
• Thieves took [=stole] the painting from the museum several years ago.
• That man took my purse!
• We will take [=seize, capture] the city at dawn.
• Their land had been taken by force.
• She took [=borrowed] her dad's car without his permission.
• I accidentally took your jacket instead of mine.
• Military leaders took control of the government in 2002.
• I have my pride, and no one can take that (away) from me. [=no one can cause me to lose my pride]
• I did all the work, and she took the credit. [=she allowed people to believe that she did the work]
b : to claim (someone or something) as your own - usually used as (be) taken
• “Excuse me. Is this chair free?” “No, I'm sorry. It's taken.” [=someone else is planning to sit in the chair]
• (somewhat old-fashioned) She can't be your girlfriend because she's already taken. [=she is already someone else's girlfriend]
5 [+ obj] : to cause (someone) to be your prisoner
• They took us as hostages. = They took us hostage.
• Three soldiers were taken prisoner/captive.
6 [+ obj] : to cause (someone) to die
• She was taken [=she died] in her prime. : to cause (someone's life) to end
• The plane crash took the lives of all the people on board.
• He took his own life. [=he killed himself]
7 [+ obj]
a : to borrow or use (a phrase, an idea, etc., that was created by a different person or used in a different place) - usually + from
• a quotation taken from Shakespeare
• The album's title is taken from [=it is the same as] a line in the album's first song.
• The builders took their inspiration from [=the builders were inspired by] the Acropolis in Athens.
b : to begin to have (a particular shape or form)
• The college took its present form after World War II.
• The plan is finally starting to take form/shape. [=to have a definite arrangement]
8 [+ obj] : to choose to have (something)
• He'll have the fish and I'll take the chicken.
• Do you take cream in your coffee?
• You can have either one. Take your pick. [=choose whichever one you want]
9 [+ obj]
a : to accept or receive (something) as payment or as a response
• Do you take credit cards?
• an elected official accused of taking bribes
• (Brit) The restaurant took [=(US) took in] an enormous amount of money in its first week of business.
• I was hoping they would pay me more, but at this point I'll take what I can get.
• I insist that you come to my party, and I won't take no for an answer!
b : to accept (something, such as blame, credit, or responsibility)
• I take full responsibility for what happened.
• No one else was willing to take the blame/rap (for what happened).
• I did the work and he took all the credit.
10 [+ obj] : to allow (someone) to join a club, to attend a school, to become part of a relationship, etc.
• The school takes [=admits] just 20 students a year.
• The doctor's office is not taking [=accepting] any new patients.
• (old-fashioned) It is time for you to take a wife/husband. [=to get married]
- see also take on (below)
11 [+ obj] : to be able to hold (a number of people or things) : to have enough room for (something)
• I think the elevator will take a few more people.
12 [+ obj]
a : to need or require (something)
• What size shoe do you take?
• It took four people to move the couch.
• What would it take to get you to buy this car?
• It will take several years to finish the bridge. = The bridge will take several years to finish.
• Do you have what it takes [=do you have the skills and personality] to do this job?
• The new color is nice, but it'll take some getting used to. [=I will need to get used to it]
• Be patient. These things take (a lot of) time. [=a lot of time needs to pass before they happen or are finished]
• Keeping everyone happy does take a lot of doing. = It takes some doing. [=it requires a lot of work]
b
✦The phrases it takes two and it takes two to tango are used to say that two people or groups are needed in order to do something.
• Both of you should be punished for fighting. It takes two, you know.
• We'd like to continue negotiating, but it takes two to tango—we can't solve this problem by ourselves.
13 [+ obj] : to do or perform (something)
• Let's take a walk. [=let's walk]
• He's taking a shower [=he's showering] upstairs.
• Take a look/peek/gander at this.
• How old do you think I am? Take a guess.
• The kids take their naps around one o'clock.
• He took a bite of his sandwich.
• Take a deep breath and try to calm down.
• We are taking a tour of the building tomorrow.
• They took a pledge never to tell anyone their secret.
• It's time for you to take a stand [=to express your opinion] and tell them that things need to change.
14 [+ obj] : to get (a drug, pill, etc.) into your body by swallowing it, breathing it in, etc.
• Take one of these pills in the morning and one before bedtime.
• She refuses to take her medicine.
• She stopped taking drugs [=she stopped using illegal drugs] years ago.
15 [+ obj] : to sit or stand in (a particular place) : to move into position on (a stage, field, etc.)
• Please take a seat. [=please sit down]
• I took my place next to her at the table.
• The actors took their places on the stage.
• They took the stage for their final bow.
• The home team is now taking the field.
• Will the next witness please take the stand?
• She took the witness stand.
• The senator from Nevada would now like to take the floor. [=to begin speaking at a public meeting]
16 [+ obj] : to create or record (a picture or image)
• She took our picture in front of the waterfall.
• Our new camera takes beautiful pictures.
• The doctor wants to take an X-ray of your leg.
• They arrested him and took his fingerprints.
17 [+ obj]
a : to find out (a person's temperature, height, etc.)
• The last time we took his temperature, it was 102 degrees.
• The nurse weighed me and took my blood pressure.
• Before the seamstress can make your dress, she has to take your measurements.
b : to find out and write down (information)
• He took my name and number and said he would call me back.
c : to create (a list or a record of information)
• I can't come to class today. Would you mind taking notes for me?
• The census we took last year shows that our population is growing very rapidly.
• We took an inventory at the store yesterday to find out what we need to order.
18 [+ obj]
a : to travel using (a road, vehicle, etc.)
• We took the highway into the city.
• She had to take a different route home.
• He takes the subway to work.
b : to turn toward (a particular direction)
• Take a right [=turn right] at the next stop light.
• Take your first left and go straight for a mile.
• We took a wrong turn [=went the wrong way; turned in the wrong direction] and got lost.
19 [+ obj] : to move on or over (something) in a particular way
• He took the stairs [=went up/down the stairs] two at a time.
• She took the curve too fast and the car skidded.
20 [+ obj]
a : to agree to do or have (a job, role, etc.)
• He took a job as a janitor at the high school.
• She hasn't decided if she is going to take the position or not.
• I took a few overtime shifts this month.
• He took the role of Romeo in the play.
• She says that parents should be taking a more active role in their children's education. [=should be more actively involved in their children's education]
• The former governor took office [=became governor] in 1998.
• She was the first woman to take her seat [=to begin her official duties as a member] in Parliament.
b Brit : to teach (a person or class) or lead (a religious service)
• The new teacher took us for English.
• She took a class of eight children.
• The vicar won't be able to take the early service.
21 [+ obj] : to study (a subject) or participate in (a class) as a student
• Her parents made her take piano lessons when she was 10.
• He takes both French and Spanish.
• I took five classes last semester.
• I'm taking a course on world history.
22 [+ obj] : to complete (a test or exam)
• If you fail the first time, you have to take the test again.
23 [+ obj] of a machine : to use or need (something) in order to work
• What size batteries does the flashlight take?
• a car that takes diesel
24 [+ obj] : to use (something) for a particular purpose
• The team's coaches decided to take another approach.
• Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming.
• Harsh measures were taken to reduce crime in the city.
• I suggest you take his advice.
• They never took the time [=bothered] to get to know her.
25 [+ obj] : to accept (the power to deal with something) : to accept control of (something)
• She was chosen to take charge/control of the organization.
• I'll get you started, and you take it [=take over] from there.
• Citizens are discouraged from taking the law into their own hands. [=punishing people for breaking laws even though they have no right to punish them]
26 [+ obj] Brit : to make (a decision) with authority
• The committee will take [=make] their decision next week.
27 [+ obj] : to deal with or consider (something)
• The governor will give a statement and then take questions from reporters.
• Will you take this call?
• Cases will be taken in order of importance.
• Let's take first things first.
• We'll see what happens and take it as it comes.
• I'll need a long time to recover, so I'm just taking (it) one day at a time.
28 [+ obj]
a : to understand or think about (something or someone) in a certain way
• I don't quite know how to take that comment.
• He said that I was full-figured, and I took it as a compliment.
• No one took her literally/seriously when she said that she was going to quit.
• He takes himself too seriously.
• He says unkind things to everyone. Try not to take it personally. [=to be offended or upset by what he said]
• Don't take this the wrong way [=do not be offended by this], but I think you could find a better boyfriend.
• When it started to rain, we took it as a sign [=we believed that the rain was a sign] that we should go home.
• Can't you take a hint? [=understand that I am trying to give you a hint?]
• I take it [=(more formally) assume, suppose] that you didn't get my message.
• So, you're staying here, I take it.
• I know it's just gossip, so I take it for what it's worth. [=I do not strongly believe that it is true or important]
b : to react to (someone or something) in a certain way
• I was surprised by how well she took the news.
• He took it pretty badly/hard [=he was very upset] when his dog died.
• She doesn't take such things lightly. [=she acts as though such things are very important]
29 [+ obj] : to think about (something or someone) as an example
• They just want attention. For instance, take the way they wear their hair.
• Take last year's record high temperatures, for example.
• The system isn't working properly. Take the case of Jane Smith.
30 [+ obj] : to think of (someone or something) as a particular type of person or thing - usually + for
• Oh, you're not Jill. Excuse me. I took you for [=mistakenly thought you were] an old friend of mine.
• Of course we know how to do it. Do you take us for idiots? [=do you think we are idiots?]
• “Can you finish everything in two hours?” “Two hours?! Who do you take me for? Superman?” [=do you think I'm Superman?]
31 [+ obj] : to believe (something that someone tells you)
• Take it from me. [=believe me] He would love to go to the concert with you.
• Okay, I'll take your word for it. [=I will believe that what you say is true]
• You don't have to take my word for it. Ask him yourself.
• She can't take a compliment. [=she does not believe that the nice things said about her are true]
32 [+ obj]
a : to begin to have (an opinion, interest, etc.)
• She has yet to take a position on the issue.
• The program inspires young people to take an interest [=become interested] in current events.
• They take a dim view [=have a negative opinion] of the country's current foreign policy.
• She took a dim view of his behavior.
b : to ask people to make choices or give opinions in (a vote, poll, etc.)
• They took a survey of shoppers to find out which brands people liked best.
• I think we should take a vote [=should vote] about what to do.
33 a [+ obj] : to feel or experience (an emotion)
• Please don't take offense. [=please don't be offended]
• Investors took fright [=suddenly became afraid] at the news and pulled their money.
- often + in or to
• His grandparents took special pleasure in [=were very pleased by] seeing him graduate from college.
• It's important to take pride in your work.
• I take comfort/solace in the fact that others have had to go through the same thing.
• She takes an instant dislike to [=she instantly dislikes] anyone who tries to sell her something.
b
✦If you are taken ill/sick or (US) take ill/sick, you suddenly become ill.
• He and I both took ill after eating the fish.
• Several other customers also were taken ill/sick.
34 [+ obj]
a : to experience or be affected by (something unpleasant)
• Everyone will have to take a pay cut.
• She had to take a two-stroke penalty.
• The ship sunk after taking [=sustaining] a direct hit.
• He took several punches to the head.
• He took quite a beating.
• “Take that,” she said as she slapped him in the face.
b : to experience (something bad or unpleasant) without being seriously harmed
• These shoes have taken [=withstood] a lot of punishment.
- often used in negative statements
• These plants can't take [=tolerate] the cold.
• You no longer have to take [=endure] the pain of arthritis.
- sometimes used in an exaggerated way
• What happens next? I can't take the suspense.
• I can't take this noise anymore!
c : to accept the difficulty or unpleasantness of (something or someone) without complaining or making changes
• I wouldn't take [=tolerate] that kind of rudeness from anyone.
• I'm not going to take it anymore!
• Are you just going to sit there and take it?
• Don't take it lying down. Do something about it.
• I thought she would be upset, but she's taking it in stride. [=not upset about it]
• Stop crying and take it like a man.
• I wasn't being serious. Can't you take a joke? [=can't you laugh at a joke that is about you?]
• He's a little hard to take sometimes. [=he is sometimes a little rude, annoying, etc.]
35 [+ obj] : to become known by (someone) in a certain way
• Her reaction took me by surprise. [=surprised me]
• The latest band taking the country by storm [=quickly becoming very popular throughout the country] is a Swedish group.
36 [+ obj] : to be liked or enjoyed by (someone) : to delight (someone) - used as (be) taken; usually + with or by
• He was quite taken with her at their first meeting.
• None of us was completely taken with the idea of staying there for an entire month.
• The critic was so taken by the restaurant that she gave it four stars out of a possible five.
37 [+ obj] : to be the cause of (damage, suffering, etc.)
• She vowed to take (her) revenge against him.
• She swore that she would take vengeance on him.
• The storm took its toll. [=the storm did a lot of damage]
• A war could take a terrible toll on the economy.
38 [+ obj]
a : to win or get (something) in a game, contest, etc.
• She sang well enough to take first prize in her high school's talent contest.
• He took second place behind last year's winner.
• They took an 8–6 lead in the seventh inning.
• The number 20 car took the lead with one lap to go.
• They took home the championship for the third year in a row.
• Let's play one more round. Winner takes all. [=the winner of this round will win the whole contest]
b : to beat or defeat (someone) in a game, fight, etc.
• She took her opponent in the second round.
• He's not that big. I think I can take him.
39 [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to move to a particular level or area of activity
• They decided to take the company public.
• Are you ready to take your business to the next level?
• When taken to extremes, their philosophy can have negative consequences.
40 [+ obj] : to go to a safe or calm place for (shelter, cover, etc.)
• If it rains, we can take shelter in the clubhouse.
• Here come the bombers! Take cover!
• a quiet place to take refuge
41 [no obj] : to be effective or become established
• Clearly, the lesson he had tried to teach them didn't take. [=they didn't learn the lesson]
• We are waiting to see if the heart transplant takes.
42 [+ obj] : to be able to have (something) when treated in a particular way
• a surface that takes a fine/high polish
43 [+ obj] grammar : to appear or be used with (something)
• Transitive verbs take an object while intransitive verbs do not.
• Most words that end in “sh,” such as “brush” and “wish,” take “es” in their plural forms.
44 [+ obj] mathematics : subtract
- often + away
• When you take two (away) from five you get three.
In addition to the phrases shown below, take occurs in many idioms that are shown at appropriate entries throughout the dictionary. For example, take a backseat can be found at backseat and take the cake can be found at 1cake.
take aback [phrasal verb] take (someone) aback : to surprise or shock (someone) - usually used as (be) taken aback
• When I told him my answer, he seemed taken aback. [=shocked]
- often + by
• He was taken aback by her answer.
take action : to do something : to act in order to get a particular result
• The committee is ready to take action.
• If we fail to take action [=fail to act], many innocent people could be hurt.
• She is threatening to take legal action against the company. [=threatening to sue the company]
take after [phrasal verb] take after (someone) : to be like (someone, such as a parent) : to resemble (someone)
• He takes after his father in height and build.
• “She's such a sweet child.” “Yes. She takes after her mother.”
take against [phrasal verb] take against (someone or something) Brit somewhat old-fashioned : to begin to dislike (someone or something)
• They took against her for no apparent reason.
take a lot out of you
✦If som
