take · v
take milk/sugar, etc.
B2 to usually have milk/sugar, etc. in your tea or coffee
Dictionary examples:
I've forgotten - do you take milk in your tea? (11.5)
take sth/sb seriously
B2 to consider a person, subject or situation to be important or dangerous and worth your attention or respect
Dictionary examples:
We take any threats to national security very seriously. (37.5)
take pleasure/pride/an interest, etc.
B2 to have a particular, good feeling about something or someone
Dictionary examples:
I have always taken an interest in local history. (21.8)
He takes great pleasure in cooking. (51.7)
take account of sth
B2 to consider something when judging a situation
Dictionary examples:
A good architect takes account of the building's surroundings. (37.4)
take into account sth
B2 to consider something when judging a situation
Dictionary examples:
I think you have to take into account the fact that he's a good deal younger than the rest of us. (49.6)
take advantage of sb/sth
B2 to treat someone or something badly in order to get what you want
Dictionary examples:
I think she takes advantage of his good nature. (24.7)
take your breath away ()
B2 If something takes your breath away, you feel surprise and admiration because it is so beautiful or exciting.
Dictionary examples:
The view from the window took my breath away. (23.5)
take effect
C1 to start to produce results or changes
Dictionary examples:
They had to wait ten minutes for the anesthetic to take effect. (53.1)
take charge
B2 to take control of or make yourself responsible for something
Dictionary examples:
I was happy to let her take charge of the vacation arrangements. (28.1)
take control
B2 to start to rule or govern an area
Dictionary examples:
The dictator took control of the country in 1933. (59.1)
take a deep breath
B2 to fill your lungs with air
Dictionary examples:
Take a deep breath and relax. (32.9)
take sb's word for it
B2 to believe what someone says without any proof
Dictionary examples:
Take my word for it - this curry is very hot! (15.8)
take sb/sth for granted
B2 to not show that you are grateful for someone or something, and forget that you are lucky to have them
Dictionary examples:
Most of us take our freedom for granted. (45.2)
take it for granted
B2 to believe that something is true without checking or thinking about it
Dictionary examples:
I took it for granted that we'd be invited to the wedding. (39.5)
take the/this opportunity to do sth
B2 to use an occasion to do or say something
Dictionary examples:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. (23.8)
take sb's place
B2 to do something instead of someone else
Dictionary examples:
If I can't make it to the theater that night you can take my place. (17.4)
take your time
C1 to do something without hurrying
Dictionary examples:
Take your time choosing - there's no hurry. (18.9)
take it from me
C1 accept that what I say is true, because I know or have experienced it
Dictionary examples:
You could be doing a much less interesting job, take it from me. (22.6)
take the initiative
C1 to be the first person to do something that solves a problem or improves a situation
Dictionary examples:
Jackson had taken the initiative and prepared a report. (36.3)
take issue (with sb/sth)
C1 to disagree with what someone says or writes
Dictionary examples:
Isn’t the need to hire more staff what’s really at issue here. (41.5)
take the liberty of doing sth
C1 to do something that will have an effect on someone else, without asking their permission
Dictionary examples:
I took the liberty of booking theater seats for us. (44.6)
take sth personally
C1 to think that someone is criticizing you or to feel that a failure or bad situation is your fault
Dictionary examples:
You shouldn't take everything so personally. (27.5)
take care of sth/doing sth
C1 to be responsible for dealing with something
Dictionary examples:
I did the cooking while Guy took care of cleaning up. (20.7)
take (UNDERSTAND)
C2 to understand something in a particular way
Dictionary examples:
Whatever I say she'll take it the wrong way. (26.3)
take sth as it comes
C2 to deal with something as it happens, without planning for it
Dictionary examples:
With an illness like this you just have to take every day as it comes. (27.7)
take (MEASURE)
C2 to measure something
Dictionary examples:
Have you taken her temperature? (11.7)
I take it (that)
C2 used when you think that what you say is probably true
Dictionary examples:
I take it you're not coming with us? (11.6)
take (NEED A QUALITY)
C2 If something takes a particular quality, you need that quality in order to be able to do it.
Dictionary examples:
Parachuting takes a lot of nerve. (66.2)
take sth to heart
C2 If you take criticism or advice to heart, you think about it seriously.
Dictionary examples:
Don't take it to heart - he was only joking about your hair. (28.8)
not take kindly to sth
C2 to not like something that someone says or does
Dictionary examples:
He doesn't take kindly to criticism. (43.3)
take the law into your own hands
C2 to do something illegal in order to punish someone because you know that the law will not punish that person
Dictionary examples:
The police did nothing about the thefts, so they took the law into their own hands. (40.3)
take the plunge
C2 to do something important or difficult, especially after thinking about it for a long time
Dictionary examples:
We're finally going to take the plunge and buy a house. (59.8)
take its toll
C2 to have a bad effect on someone or something, especially over a long period of time
Dictionary examples:
The stress was starting to take its toll on him. (48.9)
take a turn for the better/worse
C2 to become better or worse suddenly
Dictionary examples:
The weather took a turn for the better. (31.5)
take a dim view of sth
C2 to disapprove of something
Dictionary examples:
Most bosses take a dim view of long lunches. (56.6)
take shape
C2 to start to develop and become more clear or certain
Dictionary examples:
The project is slowly beginning to take shape. (26.2)
take stock (of sth)
C2 to think carefully about a situation before making a decision
Dictionary examples:
We need to pause and take stock of what still needs to be done. (38.5)
take an exam
A2 to do an exam
Dictionary examples:
I take a math test. Help! (0.0)
I take an exam. My brain hurts! (0.0)
You take a water-drinking exam. Gulp! (0.0)
I have to take some exams in June. (11.0)
take (CARRY)
A1 to get and carry something with you when you go somewhere
Dictionary examples:
I take my pet rock everywhere. (0.0)
He takes his lucky socks to work. (0.0)
She takes her teddy bear to meetings. (0.0)
I'd take your umbrella if I were you. (16.9)
I take my cellphone with me everywhere I go. (50.0)
take (GO WITH SOMEONE)
A1 to go somewhere with someone, often paying for them or being responsible for them
Dictionary examples:
She took her fish to school. (0.0)
He took his shoes to the party. (0.0)
We took our chairs to the beach. (0.0)
I took the kids to the park. (9.2)
I thought I'd take her to that nice Italian restaurant. (47.6)
take (HEALTH)
A2 to swallow or use medicine
Dictionary examples:
I take my medicine while doing a funny dance. (0.0)
I take my vitamins with chocolate milk every morning. (0.0)
She takes her pills with a spoonful of sugar. (0.0)
Take two tablets, three times a day. (17.4)
take (TRAVEL)
A2 to travel somewhere by using a bus, train, car, etc.
Dictionary examples:
He took a rocket to school because he was late. (0.0)
I took a bus to the moon yesterday. (0.0)
I always take a unicycle to important business meetings. (0.0)
Are you taking the train to Chicago? (21.4)
take (NEEDS TIME)
A2 If something takes a particular amount of time, you need that amount of time in order to be able to do it.
Dictionary examples:
It took my dog two seconds to eat my homework. (0.0)
It took me five minutes to read this ten-word sentence. (0.0)
It takes me all day to decide what to have for dinner. (0.0)
It took me three days to finish the job. (8.7)
I'll just finish off this report - it won't take long. (23.6)
take (DIRECTIONS)
A2 used to tell someone which road to go along in order to get somewhere
Dictionary examples:
Take the road with fewer potholes. Your car will thank you! (0.0)
Take the road with the giant banana statue. You can't miss it! (0.0)
Take the stairs, unless you want to race the broken elevator! (0.0)
Take the main road out of town. (19.1)
Take the third turn on the left. (42.3)
take (ACCEPT)
B1 to accept or have something
Dictionary examples:
My teacher took my dog's barking as an excuse for late homework. (0.0)
Will you take my pet rock as payment for the pizza? (0.0)
The bank refused to take my monopoly money as a deposit. (0.0)
Are you going to take the job? (7.0)
Do they take credit cards here? (17.1)
take (CLOTHES)
B1 to wear a particular size of clothes
Dictionary examples:
I take size 'elephant' in pants after eating too much pizza! (0.0)
My grandma takes a size 'teenager' in jeans! (0.0)
My brother takes a size 'giant' in socks! (0.0)
What size shoe do you take? (8.8)
I take a size 12 in pants. (46.2)
take (GET HOLD)
B1 to get hold of something and move it
Dictionary examples:
The dog took my homework and buried it in the garden. (0.0)
She took the wrong suitcase at the airport and found only clown costumes. (0.0)
The clumsy waiter took the soup bowl and promptly spilled it on himself. (0.0)
He took my arm and led me outside. (32.5)
He reached across and took the glass from her. (35.4)
take (PERFORM ACTION)
B1 used with some nouns to say that someone performs an action
Dictionary examples:
Let's take a vote: pizza or salad? Just kidding, I already ordered pizza! (0.0)
I need to take a deep breath before I take a dive into this pile of homework. (0.0)
I need to take a nap before I accidentally take a trip over my own feet. (0.0)
I need to take a shower. (6.4)
Would you like to take a swim? (9.2)
Take a look at this. (15.1)
I thought we could take a walk after lunch. (20.5)
Take a deep breath. (21.4)
take (STUDY)
B1 to study a subject in order to do an exam
Dictionary examples:
I took a class on how to make friends, but nobody showed up. (0.0)
I'm taking a class on how to procrastinate, but I'll start next year. (0.0)
He's taking a course on mind reading, but he already knows what I think. (0.0)
He's taking math, chemistry and physics. (16.5)
I took a course in accountancy. (42.6)
take (WITHOUT PERMISSION)
B1 to remove something without permission
Dictionary examples:
Someone took all the chairs! Now we have to stand during the meeting. (0.0)
My dog took my homework and buried it. The teacher won't believe this! (0.0)
Someone took my homework! Now the dog can't eat it. (0.0)
Has anything been taken? (3.7)
Someone's taken my coat! (8.8)
take (WRITE)
B1 to write something
Dictionary examples:
He took notes in class using invisible ink by mistake. (0.0)
I took a message for you, but my cat ate the paper. (0.0)
The student took notes using emojis instead of words. (0.0)
Did you take their number? (9.2)
Alice isn't here at the moment. Can I take a message? (10.2)
I took notes during the talk. (18.9)
take (REMOVE NUMBER)
B2 to remove one number from another number
Dictionary examples:
If you take 4 from 12 you get 8. (11.3)
take (GRAMMAR)
B2 to need or be followed by another word or structure in order to be grammatically correct
Dictionary examples:
This sense of the verb "give" takes two objects. (21.8)
can't take sth
B2 to not be able to deal with an unpleasant situation
Dictionary examples:
We argue all the time and I can't take it any more. (30.1)
take place
B1 to happen
Dictionary examples:
The 'Best Excuse for Being Late' contest takes place every Monday morning. (0.0)
The 'Most Boring Speech' competition is taking place right now in my class. (0.0)
The 'Most Creative Excuse for Not Doing Homework' event takes place every day. (0.0)
The concert takes place next Thursday. (11.0)
Take care!
A2 used when saying goodbye to someone
Dictionary examples:
Take care! Don't eat the homework, it's not pizza! (0.0)
Take care, don't slip on the banana peel! (0.0)
Take care! Don't let your phone eat all your time! (0.0)
See you soon, Bob - take care! (12.0)
take a picture/photo(graph)
A1 to photograph someone or something
Dictionary examples:
He took a photo of his sleeping teacher. (0.0)
I took pictures of my mom's silly face. (0.0)
She took pictures of her food all day. (0.0)
She took some great photos of the children. (9.0)
He had his photograph taken by a professional. (17.8)
Did you take any pictures of the sunset? (19.4)
take part
B1 to be involved in an activity with other people
Dictionary examples:
My cat decided to take part in my online meeting by sitting on the keyboard. (0.0)
The lazy student finally took part in class by falling asleep during the exam. (0.0)
My dad took part in a 'Who can stay silent the longest' contest. He lost immediately. (0.0)
She doesn't usually take part in any of the class activities. (19.4)
take a break/rest, etc.
B1 to stop working for a short period
Dictionary examples:
The sleepy student took a nap after staying up all night counting sheep. (0.0)
The exhausted chef took a breather after making a 100-layer lasagna. (0.0)
After juggling flaming chainsaws for an hour, the clown decided to take a break. (0.0)
If you're tired, you should take a rest. (15.2)
I think we'll take a break there. (16.1)
take care of sb/sth
B1 to look after someone or something
Dictionary examples:
I'm taking care of my homework by staring at it intensely. (0.0)
My dog thinks he's taking care of me by barking at my alarm clock. (0.0)
He takes care of his car by talking to it like a baby. (0.0)
I'll take good care of her. (11.5)
Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. (16.8)
take it/things easy ()
B1 to relax and not use too much energy
Dictionary examples:
My lazy cat decided to take it easy and sleep for 23 hours straight. (0.0)
My boss told me to take it easy, so I fell asleep at my desk. (0.0)
I tried to take things easy on vacation, but my phone kept ringing. (0.0)
After his heart attack, he had to take things easy for a while. (38.9)
take advantage of sth
B1 to use something good in a situation to help you
Dictionary examples:
I took advantage of the free food samples to have a full lunch. (0.0)
He took advantage of his boss's good mood to ask for a raise. (0.0)
I took advantage of the empty gym to practice my terrible dance moves. (0.0)
I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here. (31.1)