take on

verb

1. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect (Freq. 10)

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His voice took on a sad tone

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The story took a new turn

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he adopted an air of superiority

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She assumed strange manners

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The gods assume human or animal form in these fables

• Syn: ↑assume, ↑acquire, ↑adopt, ↑take

• Hypernyms: ↑change

• Hyponyms: ↑re-assume

• Verb Frames:

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Something ——s something

2. take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities (Freq. 6)

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When will the new President assume office?

• Syn: ↑assume, ↑adopt, ↑take over

• Derivationally related forms: ↑assumption (for: ↑assume)

• Hypernyms: ↑take office

• Hyponyms: ↑resume

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s something

3. accept as a challenge (Freq. 2)

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I'll tackle this difficult task

• Syn: ↑undertake, ↑tackle

• Hypernyms: ↑confront, ↑face up, ↑face

• Hyponyms: ↑rise

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s something

4. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle (Freq. 1)

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Princeton plays Yale this weekend

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Charlie likes to play Mary

• Syn: ↑meet, ↑encounter, ↑play

• Derivationally related forms: ↑play (for: ↑play), ↑playing (for: ↑play), ↑encounter (for: ↑encounter), ↑meet (for: ↑meet)

• Hyponyms: ↑confront, ↑face, ↑replay

• Verb Group: ↑play

• Entailment: ↑compete, ↑vie, ↑contend

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s somebody

5. admit into a group or community (Freq. 1)

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accept students for graduate study

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We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member

• Syn: ↑accept, ↑admit, ↑take

• Hypernyms: ↑accept, ↑take, ↑have

• Hyponyms: ↑profess

• Verb Group: ↑admit, ↑let in, ↑include

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s somebody

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Something ——s somebody

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Sam cannot take on Sue

* * *

take on [phrasal verb]

1 take on (something) or take (something) on

1 a : to begin to deal with (something, such as a job or responsibility)

I don't have time to take on any new responsibilities right now.

We are depending on you to take on this important assignment.

Her willingness to take on new challenges is admirable.

1 b : to begin to have (a particular quality or appearance)

Her writings took on new meaning after her death.

In the evening, the plaza takes on a different air/aura.

stories in which animals take on human attributes

The story was broadcast throughout the world and began to take on a life of its own. [=to become very large, important, and hard to control]

The story has taken on mythic proportions. [=it has become very famous or important]

2 take on (someone or something) or take (someone or something) on

2 a : to fight or struggle with (someone or something)

Police have been taking on the neighborhood's drug dealers.

She's not afraid to take on her critics/detractors directly.

They will need lots of money and resources to take on the tobacco companies.

: to criticize or argue against (someone or something)

She takes on the country's current foreign policy in her new book.

taking on sexism in the music industry

2 b : to compete against (a person, team, etc.)

The Yankees are set to take on the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium tonight.

She took him on in a game of tennis.

2 c : to allow (someone or something) to enter

The train took on a few more passengers before leaving the city.

The ship sprung a leak and began to take on water. [=water began getting into the ship]

3 take on (someone) or take (someone) on : to accept (someone) as an employee, client, etc.

I'm sorry, but the doctor isn't taking on [=taking] any new patients.

She agreed to take him on as an assistant.

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Main Entry: ↑take