Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to take measures against

to take measures against

1 3.5
Do things to prevent or deal with a problem
  • phrasal verb
  • Formal
translation icon : tomar medidas contra
  • In response to the recent spike in crime, local authorities will take measures against theft and vandalism.

Examples

  • But I have heard that the chamberlain is urging him -to take measures against the monster.

    Jabberwocky (1977)

  • It outlines the general obligation for all states to take measures against pollution, including the establishment of national rules, standards, practices, and procedures, as well as to cooperate with neighboring states at the regional level.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The city plans to take measures against rising air pollution by increasing green spaces.

  • To protect their crops, farmers must take measures against pests and diseases.

Synonyms

to take action
vsto take measures against
161 2.8

To do something to solve a problem or make a change

focuses more on preventing issues as well as handling them
to counteract
vsto take measures against
47 4.8

To act against something to reduce its effect

covers prevention as well as general responses to problems
to take precaution
vsto take measures against
25 3.6

Do things to avoid harm or danger

includes both preventing and dealing with unwanted situations

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Active

to eradicate
85 6.6
to intervene
197 5.0
to take measures against
  • Formal
1 3.5
to monitor
627 3.5

Surface Forms

take measures against infinitive
taking measures against present participle
takes measures against third person singular
took measures against past
taken measures against past participle

Morphology

take + measure + against

The meaning 'to do something in order to prevent or deal with a problem' is directly derivable from 'take' (to undertake), 'measures' (actions or steps), and 'against' (directed toward a problem). This verb + noun + preposition pattern is common across languages (e.g., Spanish 'tomar medidas contra', French 'prendre des mesures contre') and follows standard English composition, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase take measures against comes from a clear image: you take steps or tools called measures and put them against a problem, like placing sandbags to stop floodwater. That's why it means 'to do something to prevent or deal with a problem'.