to reach for (something) and hold it
to grasp or grip (something)
He took her arm and led her across the road
to get (somebody or something) into one's possession or control
to seize or capture (somebody or something) physically
They took no prisoners
to acquire or use (something) without authority or right
to capture (an opponent's piece) in a board game
to win (cards) in a card game
to lead or carry (somebody or something) to another place
The bus will take you into town
Shall I take him some tea?
to use (something) as a route or means of transport
I'll take the train
Which road shall we take?
to bring (somebody or something) to a particular state
His ability will take him to the top
to choose (somebody or something)
to remove or subtract (something)
to remove (somebody) by death
He was taken in his prime
to end (somebody's life)
decide on or make use of (something)
She decided to take the green one
to eat or drink (something)
Do you take sugar in your tea?
to expose oneself to (e.g. sun or air) for pleasure or physical benefit
to undertake or perform (an action, etc)
to take a walk
to take aim
to take legal action
to be affected by (a feeling)
She took pity on him and gave him some money
to commit oneself to (somebody or something)
He had taken a vow of silence
Her mother always took his side
to adopt or advance (a point of view, opinion, etc)
I'd take a more lenient view now
to do or use (something) for some purpose: e.g
to have recourse to (something) as an instrument for doing something
to take measures
to find (safety or refuge) somewhere
to assume or gain (a certain form or attribute)
to proceed to occupy or hold (something)
to take a seat
to take office
to take possession
to claim (something) as rightfully one's own
You can't take all the credit for our success
to need or require (something)
It takes two to speak the truth – one to speak and another to hear — Henry David Thoreau
to use or accept (something) as a necessary component
The camera takes a special cartridge
to wear (a certain size of clothing)
in grammar, to have or require (something) as the typical pattern
Transitive verbs take an object
to derive or draw (something) from somebody or something
The book takes its title from the name of the hero
to accept (an action, etc)
I don't think the table would take a polish
to obtain or ascertain (something, e.g. information) as the result of a special procedure
The police took his fingerprints
They take a census every twenty years
to get or record (something) in writing
Who's going to take notes?
to get or record (somebody or something) by photography; to make (a photograph, etc)
to receive or accept (something), whether willingly or reluctantly
She was accused of taking a bribe
Are you willing to take a bet?
to accept (a risk, etc) or use (an opportunity, etc)
to apply oneself to the study of (a subject)
to study for and receive (a degree, etc)
to secure (a position, etc) in a contest, etc
The following year he took second place
to submit to or undergo (something unpleasant)
They took a lot of criticism
to put up with or endure (something)
to support or withstand (something)
I wonder if the rope will take my weight
to accept (something) as true
to follow (advice)
to accept (something) with the mind in a specified way
She took the news calmly
to have (something), esp for enjoyment
You need to take a holiday
to feel or experience (something)
I take no pleasure in this
She's very quick to take offence
to accept (money, etc) in payment
They won't take dollars here
to receive (something) in compensation
to accommodate or hold (something)
The suitcase wouldn't take another thing
to apprehend or understand (something)
They were slow to take his meaning
to consider (somebody or something) in a certain way
We can take that as settled, then
Do you take me for a fool?
to consider or use (somebody or something) as an example
Take Shakespeare, now
to deal with (something)
Let's take the comments one at a time
to consider or view (something) in a specified relation
Taken together, the details were significant
to go round, into, over, etc (something, e.g. a corner, street, etc)
She took the corner on two wheels
Take the third turning on the right
to catch or come upon (somebody) in a specified situation, action, or way
His arrival took us by surprise
to delight or win the approval of (somebody)
He was quite taken with her at their first meeting
to perform or conduct (e.g. a class or service) as a duty or task
to strike or hit (somebody or something) in or on a specified part
The blow took him full on the chin
to be struck or hit by (something)
He took the blow full on the chin
to cheat or swindle (somebody)
to bring into or receive in a particular human relationship or connection
She was reduced to taking lodgers
It's time he took a wife
to have sexual intercourse with (somebody)
to catch (a ball) in basketball or cricket
in cricket, to cause the batting side to lose (a wicket)
to let in (something)
The boat was taking water fast
said of a horse: to jump (a fence)
said of a plant or seed: to begin to grow; to form a root
to work or mix well
This is a glue that takes well on cloth
to win favour; to be popular
to burn effectively
said of a fish: to catch hold of a lure or bait
to admit of being photographed
to fall ill
to resemble (an older relative) in appearance or character
He takes after his father
chiefly Brit to come to dislike (somebody or something)
to understand or assume (something)
I take it she's not coming
to agree or presume (to do something)
to dismantle (e.g. a piece of machinery); to separate (something) into its component parts
to analyse or dissect (something, e.g. a proposal)
informal to deal with (somebody) roughly or angrily, esp because of a failure or misdemeanour
said when hitting or attempting to hit somebody
to form a liking for (somebody or something)
I really took to the new member of staff
to adapt to or fit in with (something)
to go to or into (something), esp for escape or refuge
to begin to do (something)
the qualities or resources needed for success or for the attainment of some goal
When it comes to bravery, she's got what it takes