to take up the running of

6.1

Start managing something after the previous person leaves

phrasal verb

: asumir el control de

He was asked to take up the running of the project after the previous manager resigned.

Examples

When the principal left, Mr. Lee stepped in to take up the running of the school.
After the director retired, Jane decided to take up the running of the company.
She will take up the running of the project next month.
After Mr. Smith retires, who will take up the running of the company?
When the team leader stepped down, Sarah was eager to take up the running of the project.
After the manager left the company, Tom decided to take up the running of the operations.
Following the recent departure of the coach, the assistant will take up the running of the team.

Synonyms

to take on

vsto take up the running of

577 2.8

To agree to do a job or task

often implies stepping in after another person rather than only volunteering

to take over

vsto take up the running of

417 3.1

Begin to control someone else's job or project

focuses on replacing a person to gain control rather than starting anew

to take control

vsto take up the running of

252 3.5

Start to have power and make decisions about something

can mean assuming management after a person leaves, not only gaining initial power

to take charge

vsto take up the running of

101 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

often implies doing so after another person's prior management

to take the lead

vsto take up the running of

69 3.2

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

usually means taking charge after someone else handled it before

to succeed

vsto take up the running of

Formal

59 4.4

To take someone's job or position after they leave

implies ordinary management succession rather than only formal legal transfer

to run the show

vsto take up the running of

Informal

58 4.1

To be in charge of an activity or group

focuses on becoming the manager after another person's departure

to take the wheel

vsto take up the running of

25 4.7

To drive a car or have control of a situation

here focuses on succeeding another manager rather than any new start

to take on the role

vsto take up the running of

14 3.1

Accept a job, responsibility, or part in a play

may emphasize accepting a role after someone leaves rather than any new role

to take the helm

vsto take up the running of

13 4.4

To lead an organization, group, or project

is the phrase used for taking over management after a predecessor steps down

to fill someone's shoes

vsto take up the running of

13 5.3

To take over someone's job when it is hard to do it as well

focuses on assuming management without stressing the comparison or difficulty

to hold the reins

vsto take up the running of

Informal

3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

is about taking over leadership from someone rather than simply being in charge

to assume the mantle

vsto take up the running of

Formal

2 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

refers to taking management, not necessarily with symbolic or ceremonial tone

to take in charge

vsto take up the running of

1 5.7

To accept responsibility for and control someone or something

is specifically about assuming management after someone else departs

to carry the mantle

vsto take up the running of

Formal

1 7.4

To take on responsibility as the next leader

is the general action of assuming control rather than emphasizing legacy

to take up the running

vsto take up the running of

7.4

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

is the common expression for that same succession and management

How Much Control

to assume

36 5.7

to take over

417 3.1

to take up the running of

6.1

to fill in

108 3.3

Surface Forms

take up the running of infinitive

taking up the running of present participle

takes up the running of third person singular

took up the running of past

taken up the running of past participle

Morphology

take + up + the + running + of

The meaning 'to assume control or management' is directly compositional: 'take' (assume), the particle 'up' (begin/assume), and 'running' (the activity of managing) combine to yield 'assume the running of'. This follows a common English pattern (take up + noun) with clear cross‑linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Take up the running of may come from a relay race image: when one runner stops, another must take up the running and keep going for the team. So, it now means 'to start managing' or 'to take control' of something after someone else leaves.