take

takeverb

To take something is to get hold of it and then move it, remove it, use it, or have it, and the other senses grow from these ideas of getting and having.

1. carry or leadcarry something or go with someone from one place to another place

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + -ing form [V + obj + -ing]

   • Take an umbrella with you; it might rain. V + obj
   • I'll take the kids to school this morning. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Omar took his mother some soup when she was sick. V + obj + obj
   • We're taking the kids swimming on Saturday. V + obj + -ing

   Collocations

   verb + preposition take something to a place, take someone to the doctor, take something with you, take something into the house

   verb + adverb take someone home, take something upstairs, take something outside

   phrase take someone to lunch, take the dog for a walk, take someone by car

   Synonyms get; drive

   Antonyms bring

   Compare bring (bring means carry or lead toward the speaker or the place being talked about; take means away from it); carry (carry says only that you hold something as you move; take says where it goes); fetch (fetch means go and get something and come back with it); get

   1. ahelp someone understand something by explaining each step of it

      transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

      • Let me take you through the plan one more time. V + obj + prep + obj
      • The nurse took us through the instructions carefully.

      Collocations

      phrase take someone through something, take someone step by step through something

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Take is movement away from the speaker or listener; bring is movement toward them. Many languages have one verb for both directions, or choose the verb by whether the thing is carried or led. Choose take when the movement goes away from where the speaker or listener is.

2. get hold ofget hold of something with your hand and lift it or move it toward you

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • She took my hand and smiled. V + obj
   • Take a cookie; there are plenty.
   • He took the phone from her and hung up. V + obj + prep + obj
   • The nurse took the child by the hand and led him inside. (with by)

   Collocations

   phrase take someone's hand, take someone by the arm, take something from someone, take something in both hands

   Synonyms grab (grab is fast and rough); pick up (for lifting something from a surface)

   Compare hold (you take something and then hold it)

   1. ahave already been claimed, used, or promised to someone, so that it is not available

      transitive [T] usually passive [usually passive]

      • Is this seat taken?
      • Sorry, that name is already taken.
      • I'd ask her out, but I think she's taken. (informal: in a relationship)

      Collocations

      phrase this seat is taken, the name is taken, be already taken

3. removeremove something from a place, or get something that belongs to someone else without asking

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Take the batteries out of the toy before you clean it. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Someone took my bag while I was in the pool. V + obj (steal)
   • The doctor took a small piece of skin for testing.
   • Please take your name off the list if you can't come.

   Collocations

   phrase take something out of something, take something off something, take something from someone, take a sample

   Synonyms remove (formal); steal (steal says clearly that it was a crime; take is the plain everyday word)

   Compare take away (the phrasal verb for subtracting)

   1. asubtract one number from another

      transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] mathematics

      • If you take six from ten, you get four. V + obj + prep + obj
      • What do you get if you take three from nine?

      Collocations

      phrase take one number from another, take something off the price

   For translators (sense 3)

   Meaning across languages Take for stealing is the plain, slightly softer word: someone took my bike. Many languages use their ordinary word for steal here instead of a softer alternative; keep the softness if the language allows it. The remove use (take the batteries out) is often a phrasal or prefixed verb in other languages.

4. need timeneed a particular amount of time, effort, money, or skill in order to be done

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + to-infinitive [V + obj + to-inf] not used in the passive [no passive]

   • The drive to the coast takes about two hours. V + obj
   • It took me a week to read the whole book. V + obj + obj (it takes someone time to do something)
   • It takes courage to say no to your boss.
   • It takes three people to lift that table. V + obj + to-inf

   Collocations

   verb + noun take time, take a while, take effort, take courage, take skill, take practice

   phrase it takes an hour to do something, take longer than expected, take forever, What took you so long?

   Synonyms need; require (formal)

   For translators (sense 4)

   Grammar trap The thing that needs the time is the subject (the trip takes an hour), or it is used: it takes an hour to get there. The person, if mentioned, is an object after take: it took me an hour. There is no passive.

5. do an actiondo the action named by the noun that follows, such as a walk, a look, a shower, or a break

   Take carries little meaning of its own here; the noun says what is done. Which nouns go with take is fixed by habit: you take a walk, a shower, a break, or a test, but you make a decision (or, in British English, take one) and have a meal.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Let's take a short break and come back at three. V + obj
   • I usually take a shower before breakfast.
   • Take a look at this photo.
   • Take a deep breath and try again.

   Collocations

   verb + noun take a walk, take a look, take a break, take a shower, take a nap, take a deep breath

   phrase take a seat, take a step, take action, take a chance, take a trip, take a vacation

   Compare have (British English often has a shower, a bath, or a rest; American English usually takes them, though have a look is common in both); make (make a decision, make an effort, make a phone call)

   1. astudy a subject at school or college, or do a test or an exam

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] education

      • I'm taking chemistry this year. V + obj
      • She took the driving test twice before she passed.
      • Which classes are you taking next semester?

      Collocations

      verb + noun take a class, take a course, take a test, take an exam, take a subject

   For translators (sense 5)

   Meaning across languages Every language has its own light verbs: where English takes a shower, a walk, or a break, other languages make, do, give, or have them. Learn each noun with its verb as one unit; the verb cannot be predicted from the meaning.

6. medicine or ingredientswallow medicine or a drug, or add milk, sugar, or something similar to food or a drink

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Take two of these pills after every meal. V + obj
   • Have you taken your medicine today?
   • Do you take milk in your coffee? (with milk or sugar)
   • He started taking drugs when he was a teenager.

   Collocations

   verb + noun take medicine, take a pill, take an aspirin, take drugs, take vitamins, take sugar

   phrase take something for a headache, take something three times a day, take something with food

   For translators (sense 6)

   Meaning across languages In many languages the same verb covers eating, drinking, and having a meal (take a coffee, take breakfast). In English you take medicine, drugs, and milk or sugar in a drink, but you have or drink a coffee and have or eat breakfast. I'll take a coffee is only for ordering.

7. bus or roadtravel by a particular bus, train, taxi, or plane, or go along a particular road or route

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I take the bus to work most days. V + obj
   • Let's take a taxi; it's raining.
   • Take the second left after the bridge. (giving directions)
   • We took the highway to save time.

   Collocations

   verb + noun take the bus, take the train, take a taxi, take a flight, take the stairs, take the elevator

   phrase take the first left, take the next exit, take a shortcut, take the long way

   Compare catch (catch a bus means get on it in time; take a bus means travel by it); ride (American English also rides the bus or the train)

   For translators (sense 7)

   Grammar trap The vehicle is a direct object with no preposition: take the bus, not take with the bus (though go by bus is correct). Streets and turns are objects too: take the second street on the left.

8. acceptaccept something that is offered or given, or agree to do a job or a duty

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I've decided to take the job. V + obj
   • They don't take credit cards, so bring cash. (accept as payment)
   • You should take her advice.
   • Somebody has to take responsibility for the mistake.

   Collocations

   verb + noun take a job, take an offer, take advice, take the blame, take responsibility, take credit cards

   phrase take the opportunity to do something, take someone's word for it, take no for an answer

   Synonyms accept

   Antonyms refuse; reject (stronger than refuse)

   1. achoose to buy or have something that is offered, for example in a store or a restaurant

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

      • I'll take the blue one, please. V + obj (in a store)
      • We'll take a table by the window.
      • I'll take a large coffee to go.
      • I'll take two of those and one of these.

      Collocations

      phrase I'll take it, I'll take two, take the cheaper one

9. measure or recordfind out and write down a measurement, or write down what someone says

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The nurse took my temperature and blood pressure. V + obj
   • Can I take your name and phone number?
   • Mari took notes during the lecture.
   • Could you take a message? Lee isn't here right now.

   Collocations

   verb + noun take someone's temperature, take someone's pulse, take a measurement, take notes, take a message, take someone's name

   Synonyms record (formal, for measurements and notes)

   1. amake a photograph or a video of someone or something with a camera

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

      • Would you take a picture of us? V + obj + prep + obj
      • I took some great photos of the sunset.
      • She's taking a video of the whole show.

      Collocations

      verb + noun take a photo, take a picture, take a photograph, take a video, take a selfie

      phrase take a picture of someone, have your picture taken

   For translators (sense 9)

   Meaning across languages Many languages make or shoot a photograph; English takes one, and the person or thing in the picture follows of. The measuring uses (take someone's temperature, take a reading) translate with measure or record in many languages.

10. react or beardeal with bad news or hard treatment in a particular way, or be able to accept it without being upset

    transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

    • She took the news better than we expected. V + obj (with well, badly, or hard)
    • He can't take a joke.
    • I can't take this noise anymore! (informal)
    • Ana took it hard when her dog died.

    Collocations

    verb + adverb take something well, take something badly, take something hard

    verb + noun take criticism, take a joke, take the pressure, take the heat

    phrase can't take it anymore, can't take much more of something

    Synonyms stand (for the use with can't: can't stand the noise); bear; handle (informal)

    For translators (sense 10)

    Meaning across languages This sense often needs two verbs in other languages: react or receive (take the news well) and bear, stand, or put up with (can't take the noise). The adverb well, badly, or hard is almost always present in the first use.

11. understandunderstand or consider something in a particular way

    transitive [T] verb + object + as + noun or adjective [V + obj + as] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + to-infinitive [V + obj + to-inf]

    • I took his silence as a no. V + obj + as
    • Don't take this the wrong way, but that color doesn't suit you.
    • You should take her warning seriously.
    • What did you take that comment to mean? V + obj + to-inf

    Collocations

    verb + adverb take something seriously, take something literally, take something personally, take something lightly

    phrase take something as a compliment, take something as a joke, take something the wrong way, take something as a sign

    Synonyms interpret (formal); understand

    1. abelieve, often wrongly, that someone or something is a particular kind of person or thing

       transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object + to-infinitive [V + obj + to-inf]

       • What do you take me for, a fool? V + obj + prep + obj
       • Sorry, I took you for someone else.
       • I took the man at the door to be the owner. V + obj + to-inf

       Collocations

       phrase take someone for a fool, take someone for someone else, What do you take me for?

    2. bhave a particular opinion about something, or deal with it in a particular way

       transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

       • The company takes a strict line on lateness.
       • Many people take the view that the law should change.
       • We need to take a different approach to the problem.

       Collocations

       verb + noun take the view, take a position, take a stand, take a hard line, take an approach, take an interest

    For translators (sense 11)

    Meaning across languages Interpret (take something as a joke), mistake (take you for someone else), and adopt (take a position) are separate verbs in many languages. The pattern take something as a noun or adjective is the most common and the hardest to translate word for word.

12. capture or winget control of a place or a person by force, or win something in a competition

    transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

    • The army took the city after three days of fighting. V + obj
    • The soldiers took several prisoners.
    • Yuki took first place in the school competition.
    • She took the lead early in the race and never lost it.

    Collocations

    verb + noun take a city, take prisoners, take control, take power, take first place, take the lead

    Synonyms capture (for places and people); seize (formal, by force); win (for prizes and places)

13. room or sizehave enough room for a number of people or things, or need a particular size, kind of fuel, or kind of battery

    transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] not used in the passive [no passive] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous]

    • The car takes five people comfortably. V + obj
    • This camera takes ordinary batteries.
    • What size shoes do you take? (with a size)
    • The hall can take two hundred people.

    Collocations

    verb + noun take a number of people, take batteries, take a size, take diesel

    Compare hold (hold says how much fits inside; take says what a thing can accept or is made for); fit

    For translators (sense 13)

    Grammar trap No passive and no continuous form: the car takes five people, never is being taken. The object names the number, size, or kind of thing that fits or is needed. For clothes and shoes, American English more often says wear a size.

14. in grammarbe used together with a particular form of another word, such as an object or a plural; said of a verb, a noun, or a preposition

    transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous] grammar

    • The verb give can take two objects. V + obj
    • Which preposition does depend take?
    • Nouns such as furniture do not take a plural.

    Collocations

    verb + noun take an object, take a preposition, take a plural, take the -ing form, take a that-clause

See also take off; take over; take up; take out; take on