take

verb

/teɪk/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they take	/teɪk/ /teɪk/
he / she / it takes	/teɪks/ /teɪks/
past simple took	/tʊk/ /tʊk/
past participle taken	/ˈteɪkən/ /ˈteɪkən/
-ing form taking	/ˈteɪkɪŋ/ /ˈteɪkɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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carry/lead

[transitive] to carry or move something from one place to another

take something Remember to take your coat when you leave.
take something with you I forgot to take my bag with me when I got off the bus.
take somebody something Shall I take my host family a gift?
take something to somebody/something Can you take my suit to the dry-cleaner's?
You need to take your laptop to the technician.
take something for somebody/something Don't forget to take a present for Catherine's new baby.

Extra Examples

My things had already been taken to my room.
She took her bags along with her.
Think about what you need to take for the trip.

[transitive] to go with somebody from one place to another, especially to guide or lead them

take somebody It's too far to walk—I'll take you by car.
take somebody to something A boy took us to our room.
take somebody doing something I'm taking the kids swimming later.
take somebody to do something The boys were taken to see their grandparents most weekends.

Synonyms taketake

lead
escort
drive
show
walk
guide
usher
direct

These words all mean to go with somebody from one place to another.

take
to go with somebody from one place to another, for example in order to show them something 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 somebody 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 somebody in order to protect or guard them or to show them the way:
- The president arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
drive
to take somebody somewhere in a car, taxi, etc:
- My mother drove us to the airport.
show
to take somebody 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 somebody 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 somebody the way to a place, often by going with them; to show somebody 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 somebody where they should go, especially within a building:
- She ushered her guests to their seats.
direct
(rather formal) to tell or show somebody how to get somewhere or where to go:
- A young woman directed them to the station.

Patterns

to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide/usher/direct somebody to/out of/into something
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide somebody around/round
to take/lead/escort/drive/walk somebody home
to take/lead/escort/guide somebody to safety
to lead/show the way

Extra Examples

You should take her home soon.
I asked them if they'd take me with them.

[transitive] take somebody/something + adv./prep. to make somebody/something 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).

time

[transitive, no passive, intransitive] to need or require a particular amount of time

take something The process took about a year.
The journey to the airport takes about half an hour.
take something to do something 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.
take somebody something That should only take you ten minutes.
take somebody something to do something It took her three hours to repair her bike.
It'll take her time to recover from the illness.
take something for somebody to do something 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.

Which Word? last / takelast / takeLast 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:
- The money she gave us should last until next week.
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.

photograph

[transitive] to photograph somebody/something

take something to take a picture/photo/shot of somebody/something
to have your picture/photo taken

transport/road

[transitive] take something to use a form of transport, a road, a path, etc. to go to a place

to take the bus/train
to take a cab/plane
Take the second road on the right.
It's more interesting to take the coast road.

Extra Examples

You'll have to take a taxi. There's no other way of getting there.
You fly to Brussels and take the train to Bruges.
We took a ferry across to the island.
We took a bus south to Cairo.
They took the night train to Vienna.

Topics Transport by bus and traina1

reach and hold

[transitive] take somebody/something to put your hands or arms around somebody/something and hold them/it; to reach for somebody/something 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

[transitive] take something/somebody + adv./prep. to remove something/somebody 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.

[transitive] take something to remove something without permission or by mistake

Someone has taken my scarf.
Did the burglars take anything valuable?
All she had taken was her passport and driving licence.
(figurative) The storms took the lives of 50 people.

[transitive] to get something from a particular source

take something from something The scientists are taking water samples from the river.
The machine takes its name from its inventor.
take something out of something Part of her article is taken straight (= copied) out of my book.

seat

[transitive] take something to sit down in or use a chair, etc.

Are these seats taken?
Come in; take a seat.

Synonyms sitsit

sit down
be seated
take a seat
perch

These words all mean to rest your weight on your bottom with your back straight, for example on a chair.

sit
to rest your weight on your bottom with your back straight, 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 somebody sits, but sometimes another phrase or clause is used to show what somebody 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 somebody to sit down: Please be seated.
take a seat to sit down Take a seat is used especially as a polite way of inviting somebody to sit down: Please take a seat.
perch
(rather informal) to sit on something, especially on the edge of something:
- She perched herself on the edge of the bed.
Perch is always used with an adverb or prepositional phrase to show where somebody is perching.

Patterns

to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat/perch on something
to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat in something

eat/drink

[transitive] take something to eat, drink, etc. something

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.

write down

[transitive] take something to find out and record something; to write something down

The police officer took my name and address.
Did you take notes in the class?

exam

[transitive] take something to do an exam or a test

When did you take your driving test?

Topics Educationa2

study

[transitive] take something to study a subject at school, college, etc.

She is planning to take a course in web design.
Last year I started taking yoga classes.
How many subjects are you taking this year?

Topics Educationa2

action

[transitive] to use a particular course of action in order to deal with or achieve something

take something We need to take a different approach to the problem.
The government is taking action to combat drug abuse.

[transitive] take something used with nouns to say that somebody is doing something, performing an action, etc.

to take a look
to take a break
to take a shot at somebody/something
to take a step/walk/stroll
to take a bath/shower/wash
to take a bite/drink/sip
to take a deep breath
(British English) We will take a decision on the matter next week.
She's taken a nasty fall and has her leg in plaster.
Experts have urged ministers to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.

measurement

[transitive] take something to test or measure something

to take somebody’s temperature
I need to have my blood pressure taken.

capture

[transitive] to capture a place or person; to get control of something

take something The rebels succeeded in taking the town.
The state has taken control of the company.
take something from somebody The militants took the city from government forces.
take somebody + noun The rebels took him prisoner.
He was taken prisoner by the rebels.
The bank robbers took several employees hostage.

Topics War and conflictb1

choose/buy

[transitive] take something to choose, buy or rent something

I'll take the grey jacket.
We took a room at the hotel for two nights.

[transitive] take something (formal) to buy a newspaper or magazine regularly

We take the ‘Express’.

accept/receive

[transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses or in the passive) take something to accept or receive something

If they offer me the job, I'll take it.
She was accused of taking bribes.
I'll take the call in my office.
I take full responsibility for my actions.
Why should I take the blame for somebody else's mistakes?
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.
Will you take $10 for the book (= will you sell it for $10)?
The store took (= sold goods worth) $100 000 last week.

[transitive] take something to act in response to an opportunity

When the bus stopped for fuel, we took the opportunity to get something to eat.
England failed to take their chances and had to settle for a draw.
He isn't afraid to take risks.
Take the initiative and fill your life with exciting experiences.

[transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) take somebody to accept somebody as a customer, patient, etc.

The school doesn't take boys (= only has girls).
The dentist can't take any new patients.

[transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) take something to experience or be affected by something

The school took the full force of the explosion.
Can the ropes take the strain (= not break)?
The team took a terrible beating.
I'm afraid your husband has taken a turn for the worse.

[transitive, no passive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) take something to be able to bear something

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.
It was clear that she wasn't going to take any nonsense.

[transitive] take something/somebody + adv./prep. to react to something/somebody 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.
I was being sarcastic but you took my comment literally.
She took it in the spirit in which it was intended.

Extra Examples

Harry took his rejection philosophically.
She took the news of her father's death very badly.
I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
They won't take kindly to being ordered about.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

well
badly
seriously
…

preposition

phrases

take it like a man

See full entry

consider

[transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or consider something in a particular way

take something How am I supposed to take that remark?
Taken overall, the project was a success.
take something as something She took what he said as a compliment.
take something to do something What did you take his comments to mean?

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

well
badly
seriously
…

preposition

phrases

take it like a man

See full entry

[transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to consider somebody/something to be somebody/something, especially when you are wrong

take somebody/something for somebody/something 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)?
take somebody/something to be somebody/something I took the man with him to be his father.

Extra Examples

I mistakenly took her for the Senator's wife.
He's not the fool you take him for.

have feeling/opinion

[transitive] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) take something 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.

Topics Opinion and argumentb2

mathematics

[transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to reduce one number by the value of another synonym subtract

take A (away) (from B) Take 5 from 12 and you're left with 7.
B take away A (informal) 80 take away 5 is 75.

give example

[transitive] take somebody/something used to introduce somebody/something as an example

Lots of couples have problems in the first year of marriage. Take Ann and Paul.

form/position

[transitive] take something to have or start 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.
The home side had a chance to take the lead.

need

[transitive, no passive] to need or require something in order to happen or be done

take somebody/something to do something It only takes one careless driver to cause an accident.
It doesn't take much to make her angry.
take something (informal) He didn't take much persuading (= he was easily persuaded).

[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) take something (of machines, etc.) to use something in order to work

The buses have been adapted to take biofuel.

size of shoes/clothes

[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) take something to wear a particular size in shoes or clothes

What size shoes do you take?

Topics Clothes and Fashionc1

hold/contain

[transitive, no passive] (not used in the progressive tenses) take something/somebody to have enough space for something/somebody; to be able to hold or contain a particular quantity

The bus can take 60 passengers.
The tank takes 50 litres.

teach/lead

[transitive] to be the teacher or leader in a class or a religious service

take somebody (for something) The head teacher usually takes us for French.
take something Mr Perkins took the morning service.

Topics Educationa2

go over/around

[transitive] take something (+ adv./prep.) to go over or around something

The horse took the first fence well.
He takes bends much too fast.

in sports

[transitive] take something (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

Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsb2

vote/survey

[transitive] take something to use a particular method to find out people’s opinions

to take a vote/poll/survey

Topics Opinion and argumentc2

be successful

[intransitive] to be successful; to work

The skin graft failed to take.

Topics Successc2

grammar

[transitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) take something (of verbs, nouns, etc.) to have or require something when used in a sentence or other structure

The verb ‘rely’ takes the preposition ‘on’.

More Like This Verbs with two objectsVerbs with two objects

bet
bring
build
buy
cost
get
give
leave
lend
make
offer
owe
pass
pay
play
post
promise
read
refuse
sell
send
show
sing
take
teach
tell
throw
wish
write

Word Originlate Old English tacan ‘get (especially by force), capture’, from Old Norse taka ‘grasp, lay hold of’, of unknown ultimate origin.

Idioms Most idioms containing take are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example take the biscuit is at biscuit.

somebody can take it or leave it

used to say that you do not care if somebody accepts or rejects your offer
used to say that somebody does not have a strong opinion about something
- Dancing? I can take it or leave it.
Topics Opinion and argumentc2

have (got) what it takes

(informal) to have the qualities, ability, etc. needed to be successfulTopics Successc1

I, you, etc. can’t take somebody anywhere

(informal, often humorous) used to say that you cannot trust somebody to behave well in public
- You haven’t spilled your coffee again! I can’t take you anywhere!

take something as it comes | take somebody as they come

to accept something/somebody without wishing it/them to be different or without thinking about it/them very much in advance
- She takes life as it comes.

take it (that…)

to suppose; to assume
- I take it you won't be coming to the party?

take it from me (that…)

(informal) used to emphasize that what you are going to say is the truth
- Take it from me—he'll be a millionaire before he's 30.

take it/a lot out of somebody

(informal) to make somebody physically or mentally tired
- Looking after small children really takes it out of you.

take it on/upon yourself to do something

to decide to do something without asking permission or advice

take some/a lot of doing

(informal) to need a lot of effort or time; to be very difficult to do

take that!

(informal) used as an exclamation when you are hitting somebody or attacking them in some other way