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Glite Dictionary
to take up the running

to take up the running

7.4
To start managing a task or group after someone else managed it
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : asumir la dirección
  • When the project manager resigned, Julia agreed to take up the running of the team.

Examples

  • After his father's illness, he had to take up the running of the family restaurant.

  • If no one else volunteers, I suppose I'll have to take up the running myself.

  • Let's take up the running of the project together!

  • She will take up the running of the project next week.

  • After his father's illness, he had to take up the running of the family restaurant.

  • When the project manager resigned, Julia agreed to take up the running of the team.

  • If no one else volunteers, I suppose I'll have to take up the running myself.

Synonyms

to run
vsto take up the running
∞ 2.5

To be in charge of a business or organization

is narrower here, meaning to begin managing after a previous manager
to take over
vsto take up the running
862 3.1

Begin to control someone else's job or project

is about taking responsibility after someone else managed it
to take on
vsto take up the running
405 2.8

To agree to do a job or task

is more specific about taking over after someone else rather than just accepting
to take control
vsto take up the running
227 3.5

Start to have power and make decisions about something

emphasises taking over management duties from an earlier person
to take charge
vsto take up the running
98 3.5

Start to control a group or situation and lead others

is used when that responsibility follows previous management
to take the lead
vsto take up the running
79 3.2

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

is used when initiative comes with taking over past management
to run the show
vsto take up the running
  • Informal
58 4.1

To be in charge of an activity or group

is applied specifically when management is assumed from another person
to take the wheel
vsto take up the running
23 4.7

To drive a car or have control of a situation

is about assuming ongoing management after someone else handled it
to take the helm
vsto take up the running
12 4.4

To lead an organization, group, or project

is focused on stepping into leadership after a prior manager
to take on the role
vsto take up the running
10 3.1

Accept a job, responsibility, or part in a play

often implies stepping into that position after a previous holder
to hold the reins
vsto take up the running
  • Informal
3 4.9

To be in control of a group or business

is similar but stresses taking over from someone else rather than general control
to carry the ball
vsto take up the running
  • Informal
2 4.6

Lead a project or task and make sure it is finished

is focused on assuming that leadership after a prior person handled it
to assume the mantle
vsto take up the running
  • Formal
1 7.3

To take on an important role as a leader

highlights stepping into management specifically after a former leader
to carry the mantle
vsto take up the running
  • Formal
1 7.4

To take on responsibility as the next leader

focuses on assuming management after a predecessor steps down
to take up the running of
vsto take up the running
6.1

Start managing something after the previous person leaves

is the exact phrase for that same successor action
to take in charge
vsto take up the running
5.7

To accept responsibility for and control someone or something

is used when that acceptance follows earlier management by another

Antonyms

to abandon
773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Much Responsibility

to lead
∞ 1.0
to take up the running
7.4
to supervise
189 3.5
to assist
605 1.0

Surface Forms

take up the running infinitive
taking up the running present participle
takes up the running third person singular
took up the running past
taken up the running past participle

Morphology

take + up + the + running

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'take up' conveys assuming or taking on something and 'running' (in the sense of managing/operation) denotes the ongoing management of a task. Combined, a learner who knows those constituent senses can directly infer 'assume responsibility for managing', so the meaning is readily derivable.

Etymology

Take up the running comes from races: imagine one runner stopping and another stepping in to take up the running and move ahead. So it now means to 'take responsibility' or 'take the lead' of a task when someone else has stopped.