to take on the challenge
3
3.2
- phrasal verb
:
aceptar el desafío
- Fortunately, the W.A.I.T.S. Policy Forum speakers seem more than willing to take on the challenge.
The challenge is that you can get by and the bigger challenge is eventually though, somebody else will actually take on the challenge and then you will be the loser.
- The challenge is that you can get by and the bigger challenge is eventually though, somebody else will actually take on the challenge and then you will be the loser.
Examples
-
Both U.S. presidential candidates have signaled that if elected, they will take on the challenge of climate change as one of their top priorities.
Academic text (2008) -
Together with EMA, treatment plant employees took on the challenge to achieve their vision: to become a world-class competitive organization within five years.
Academic text (2003) -
So when the opportunity came up, I thought I would take on the challenge.
-
With this site, they have taken on the challenge of making all its elements make sense together.
Academic text (2006) -
It's funny how your perspective changes when you take on the challenge of starting your own business.
Blog text (31) -
If I had known the emotional and physical costs, I doubt I would have taken on the challenge.
Blog text (19) -
Although some were initially apprehensive, the students took on the challenge of this program.
Academic text (1992) -
After reading this article, you should now feel comfortable taking on the challenge of self-improvement.
Blog text (18) -
Despite widespread acceptance of world music as an integral part of classroom music experiences, teachers often feel unprepared to take on the challenge of developing and presenting musical material from other cultures.
Academic text (2009) -
When the coach asked if anyone wanted to take on the challenge of leading the team, several players eagerly volunteered.
Synonyms
405
2.8
To agree to do a job or task
204
3.4
To try to deal with a difficult problem or task
190
4.2
Agree to do a job and be responsible for it
5
3.9
Deal with a difficult problem or situation
4
5.6
To deal with a difficult problem directly and bravely
1
8.6
To accept a challenge and try to meet it
1
8.1
To accept a public challenge to show you will compete
To face a difficult problem directly and work hard to solve it
Antonyms
How Willing
122
3.0
20
3.4
3
3.2
∞
1.0
∞
1.1
318
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to accept or agree to face a difficult or demanding task' is directly derivable from combining 'take' (accept/receive) with the particle/preposition 'on' (to undertake) and 'challenge' (difficult task); 'the' is semantically irrelevant. This compositional phrasal-verb + noun pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Take on the challenge paints a simple picture: imagine picking up a heavy box with the word challenge on it, where to take on means to pick it up and carry it. So it means 'agree to do a difficult task'.