to take on

Examples

• All

• You know, every morning I wake up feeling really good, feeling like I'm ready to take on the day.

  No Appointment Necessary (2017)

• So I figure next year, I'm really gonna have to take on more responsibility here.

  Hell of a Summer (2023)

• So sometimes we take on a bit too much, right?

  Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

• If business goes on the way it is, we're going to have to take on more help.

  Bloodthirsty Butchers (1970)

• In a house full of males, she takes on the role of the mother.

  Academic text (2012)

• I'm curious, what do you want to take on next in physics education?

• A lot of guys took on teaching music as a sideline.

  Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

• We've taken on a number of veterans.

  The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

• Students can be disinclined to take on the responsibilities that come with greater voice.

  Academic text (2012)

• Last week, I decided to take on the challenge of learning a new language.

Synonyms

T

to take

vsto take on

∞ 1.0

Move into a position or seat

is specifically about agreeing to handle tasks and responsibilities

T

to take over

vsto take on

862 3.1

Begin to control someone else's job or project

involves replacing someone while the general idea can mean accepting without replacement

T

to tackle

vsto take on

204 3.4

To try to deal with a difficult problem or task

is about agreeing to handle a task rather than the effort of doing it

T

to take responsibility

vsto take on

193 3.3

To admit you caused a problem and accept the blame

focuses on accepting to handle tasks rather than admitting blame

U

to undertake

vsto take on

190 4.2

Agree to do a job and be responsible for it

is broader and means simply to accept handling a task or duty

A

to adopt

vsto take on

135 3.2

To take on a new role, responsibility, or attitude

is limited to accepting duties or tasks, not personal qualities or attitudes

T

to take charge

vsto take on

98 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

is to accept handling duties even without full control or leadership

A

to assume

vsto take on

93 3.7

Begin to take a role or duty

is more about agreeing to accept tasks rather than only starting a role

T

to take the lead

vsto take on

79 3.2

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

is the act of agreeing to handle duties, not only leading them

T

to take it upon oneself

vsto take on

28 5.3

Decide to do something and accept responsibility without being asked

is broader and may include agreeing when asked or offered

T

to take the wheel

vsto take on

23 4.7

To drive a car or have control of a situation

covers accepting tasks in general, not only physical or driving control

T

to take the helm

vsto take on

12 4.4

To lead an organization, group, or project

is about accepting to handle tasks even when not leading others

T

to take on the role

vsto take on

10 3.1

Accept a job, responsibility, or part in a play

is the general idea of accepting tasks, not only roles

T

to take on the challenge

vsto take on

3 3.2

To accept a difficult task to test yourself

is about accepting tasks or duties broadly rather than only difficult ones

C

to carry the ball

vsto take on

• Informal

2 4.6

Lead a project or task and make sure it is finished

stresses leading roles while the general idea covers any accepted duty

A

to assume the mantle

vsto take on

• Formal

1 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

is about accepting tasks or roles generally, not only high leadership positions

C

to carry the mantle

vsto take on

• Formal

1 7.4

To take on responsibility as the next leader

is broader and used for any acceptance of duties not only succession

T

to take up the running

vsto take on

7.4

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

adds succession aspect while core idea covers any accepted task

T

to take up the running of

vsto take on

6.1

Start managing something after the previous person leaves

is about accepting duties in general not only after others leave

Antonyms

R

to reject

839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

How Committed

to lead

∞ 1.0

to shoulder

30 4.6

to take on

405 2.8

to agree to the terms

• Formal

4 2.5

to help out

• Informal

486 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology