to take control

Examples

• All

• I will not let you take control of my company.

  Mission: Impossible II (2000)

• Engineers as a community must take control of altering this public perception.

  Academic text (2011)

• We absolutely need to take control, but we're not.

  Tom Bilyeu

• I think the first thing to do would be to actually take control of the country.

• And he decided to take control of his own mental health.

  StarTalk

• Like we need to take control of our own health.

• We have to take control of the plane.

  97 Minutes (2023)

• Won't you make the decision to take control of your life before it's too late?

  Fiction book (2001)

• She takes control of her own destiny.

  Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

• The new manager is eager to take control of the team's future direction.

Synonyms

C

to control

vsto take control

∞ 2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

stresses the start of gaining such power rather than the ongoing state

T

to take over

vsto take control

862 3.1

Begin to control someone else's job or project

focuses on starting to gain power rather than replacing someone specifically

T

to take on

vsto take control

405 2.8

To agree to do a job or task

means beginning wider authority and decision making beyond a single task

S

to seize

vsto take control

277 3.2

To take control of a place or person quickly, often by force

is about starting to gain authority, without implying sudden or forceful action

D

to dominate

vsto take control

275 3.7

To have strong control over people or things

is about beginning authority and decision making rather than dominating fully

T

to take charge

vsto take control

98 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

begins the process of gaining power and starting to make decisions

T

to take the lead

vsto take control

79 3.2

To start guiding a group or activity and make the main decisions

emphasizes starting formal authority and decision making rather than only initiative

R

to rule over

vsto take control

23 4.2

To be in charge of people or a place

concerns the act of starting to gain authority, not long-term rule

T

to take the wheel

vsto take control

23 4.7

To drive a car or have control of a situation

is about initiating authority and beginning to make decisions broadly

T

to take the helm

vsto take control

12 4.4

To lead an organization, group, or project

describes starting to gain decision power generally, not only formal leadership

H

to hold sway

vsto take control

9 6.6

To have power over people or situations

describes initiating power and decision making rather than sustained influence

W

to wrest control

vsto take control

4 7.7

To take control from someone by force or strong effort

describes starting authority but without the sense of taking it from someone forcibly

H

to hold the reins

vsto take control

• Informal

3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

focuses on the moment of beginning to gain authority and make decisions

T

to take the con

vsto take control

1 7.9

To lead a meeting or discussion

describes beginning general authority across contexts, not only group talks

T

to take up the running of

vsto take control

6.1

Start managing something after the previous person leaves

means starting to gain authority in any situation, not only after departures

T

to take up the running

vsto take control

7.4

To start managing a task or group after someone else managed it

covers the moment of beginning authority rather than continuing an existing run

T

to take in charge

vsto take control

5.7

To accept responsibility for and control someone or something

specifically highlights beginning to hold decision power and authority

Antonyms

S

to surrender

722 4.4

To stop fighting and give control or things to someone else, often when forced

R

to relinquish

• Formal

69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

How Much Control

to dominate

275 3.7

to seize

277 3.2

to control

∞ 2.4

to take control

227 3.5

to manage

643 2.7

influence

430 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology