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Glite Dictionary
to take in charge

to take in charge

5.7
To accept responsibility for and control someone or something
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : hacerse cargo de
  • She took in charge the organization of the event when no one else volunteered.

Examples

  • After the accident, the nurse took in charge of the injured children immediately.

  • The committee will take in charge of the investigation next week.

  • He takes in charge whenever the manager is away.

  • Please take in charge this task!

  • The manager will take in charge the new project.

  • Whenever the supervisor is not in the office, Jane takes in charge the team's duties.

  • The principal will take in charge any disciplinary issues that arise during the school day.

Synonyms

to control
vsto take in charge
∞ 2.4

To have power over people, things, or situations

highlights accepting responsibility more than ongoing power or restraint
to take over
vsto take in charge
862 3.1

Begin to control someone else's job or project

can include taking responsibility even when not replacing another person
to take on
vsto take in charge
405 2.8

To agree to do a job or task

focuses more on taking overall control rather than just agreeing to a task
to take control
vsto take in charge
227 3.5

Start to have power and make decisions about something

focuses equally on accepting control but with slightly more responsibility tone
to take responsibility
vsto take in charge
193 3.3

To admit you caused a problem and accept the blame

includes accepting control or management, not only blame or accountability
to undertake
vsto take in charge
190 4.2

Agree to do a job and be responsible for it

emphasizes control and authority as well as agreeing to responsibility
to call the shots
vsto take in charge
  • Informal
99 4.2

To be in control and make the important decisions

covers taking responsibility but not necessarily making all big decisions
to take charge
vsto take in charge
98 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

accepts responsibility similarly but with no extra emphasis on leading others
to take the lead
vsto take in charge
79 3.2

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

is broader, covering any acceptance of responsibility not only direction
to own it
vsto take in charge
  • Informal
43 7.0

Admit a fault or a personal quality and act confidently

is more about taking control or charge of situations beyond personal acts
to take hold
vsto take in charge
33 3.8

To begin to control a situation or people's actions

is similar but implies accepting responsibility more deliberately rather than dominance
to take it upon oneself
vsto take in charge
28 5.3

Decide to do something and accept responsibility without being asked

can be chosen or asked, not necessarily initiated independently
to take the wheel
vsto take in charge
23 4.7

To drive a car or have control of a situation

is similar but can be less literal and more about general responsibility
to take the helm
vsto take in charge
12 4.4

To lead an organization, group, or project

covers taking responsibility more generally, not only formal leadership roles
to take on the role
vsto take in charge
10 3.1

Accept a job, responsibility, or part in a play

is broader, applying to control or responsibility beyond a single role
to hold the reins
vsto take in charge
  • Informal
3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

is about accepting responsibility or control without stressing formal management
to carry the ball
vsto take in charge
  • Informal
2 4.6

Lead a project or task and make sure it is finished

matches responsibility but may not stress leadership intensity or initiative
to assume the mantle
vsto take in charge
  • Formal
1 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

accepts responsibility broadly, not only the symbolic weight of leadership
to carry the mantle
vsto take in charge
  • Formal
1 7.4

To take on responsibility as the next leader

is used for taking responsibility in general situations, not only succession
to take up the running of
vsto take in charge
6.1

Start managing something after the previous person leaves

is similar but can apply when starting responsibility rather than succeeding someone
to take up the running
vsto take in charge
7.4

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

includes taking charge at any time, not only as a successor

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

to abdicate
  • Formal
23 8.0

To give up a position of power, for example a king or queen

How Much Control

to control
∞ 2.4
to lead
∞ 1.0
to take in charge
5.7
to manage
643 2.7

Surface Forms

take in charge infinitive
taking in charge present participle
takes in charge third person singular
took in charge past
taken in charge past participle

Morphology

take + in + charge

The overall meaning 'to accept responsibility' is anchored in the constituents 'take' (assume) and 'charge' (authority/task), so a B1 learner who knows the words could partly infer the sense. However, the insertion of 'in' and the non‑canonical English pattern (native norm is 'take charge' or 'take charge of') makes the construction syntactically unusual and less predictable for learners, so prior exposure or transfer from other languages often determines full comprehension.

Etymology

Take in charge comes from the image of someone who takes something in and gives it a charge — a duty to look after. So, it means 'to accept responsibility or control'.