Phrasal verbs are expressions that combine a verb with a preposition or adverb to create a meaning different from the verb alone. The verb take forms many important phrasal verbs used in conversation, business, and everyday English. Learning these expressions is essential because they appear frequently and can sometimes be confusing without examples. In this article, you will find the most common phrasal verbs with take, along with their meanings and examples.
17 Phrasal Verbs with TAKE: Meanings & Examples
Below you will find a list of the most common phrasal verbs with take. Each one combines take with a preposition or adverb to create a specific meaning. The examples will help you see exactly how these phrasal verbs are used in everyday English.
1. Take off
Meaning:
- To remove something, especially clothes.
- For a plane: to leave the ground and begin flying.
- To become successful or popular very quickly.
Examples:
- He took off his jacket because it was too warm.
- The plane took off on time.
- Her business really took off after she launched the website.
2. Take up
Meaning:
- To start doing a hobby or activity.
- To use space or time.
Examples:
- She has taken up painting as a hobby.
- The sofa takes up too much space in the living room.
3. Take over
Meaning: To gain control of something, usually a business or responsibility.
Examples:
- The company was taken over by a large corporation.
- Can you take over the project while I’m away?
4. Take in
Meaning:
- To understand and remember information.
- To allow someone to stay in your home.
- To make clothes smaller.
Examples:
- There was so much information that I couldn’t take it all in.
- They took in a stray dog.
- I need to have this dress taken in.
5. Take out
Meaning:
- To remove something.
- To invite someone to go out.
- To get something officially, like insurance or a loan.
Examples:
- She took out her phone to check the time.
- He took her out for dinner.
- We took out travel insurance before our trip.
6. Take on
Meaning:
- To accept work or responsibility.
- To employ someone.
- To fight or compete against someone.
Examples:
- I can’t take on any more projects right now.
- The company is taking on new staff.
- He decided to take on the champion.
7. Take back
Meaning:
- To return something to a place.
- To admit something you said was wrong.
Examples:
- I need to take back the books to the library.
- I’m sorry, I take back what I said.
8. Take down
Meaning:
- To remove something that was put up.
- To write information.
Examples:
- They took down the old posters.
- Did you take down his phone number?
9. Take after
Meaning: To resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
Examples:
- She really takes after her mother.
- He takes after his grandfather in his love of music.
10. Take apart
Meaning: To separate something into pieces.
Examples:
- He took the clock apart to see how it worked.
- The mechanic took the engine apart to check for problems.
11. Take aside
Meaning: To move someone away from others to speak privately.
Examples:
- The teacher took me aside to give me some advice.
- She took him aside to discuss the issue quietly.
12. Take down
Meaning: To defeat or remove someone.
Examples:
- The police finally took down the criminal gang.
- The journalist helped take down a corrupt politician.
13. Take up with
Meaning: To start being friendly or spending time with someone.
Examples:
- He’s taken up with some interesting people lately.
- She took up with a new group after moving to the city.
14. Take out on
Meaning: To treat someone badly because you are upset about something else.
Examples:
- Don’t take your anger out on me.
- He often takes his stress out on his coworkers.
15. Take to
Meaning:
- To begin to like someone or something.
- To start doing something regularly.
Examples:
- She took to her new colleagues immediately.
- He’s taken to jogging every morning.
16. Take up on
Meaning: To accept an offer or invitation.
Examples:
- I’ll take you up on that offer to help.
- She took him up on his invitation to dinner.
17. Take for
Meaning: To believe something about someone, usually by mistake.
Examples:
- I took him for a friend of yours.
- She was taken for a local because of her accent.
Quiz: Phrasal Verbs with TAKE
1. She decided to ____ yoga to improve her health.
a) take off
b) take up
c) take in
2. The company will ____ three new employees next month.
a) take over
b) take on
c) take out
3. He was so tired that he couldn’t ____ all the details of the presentation.
a) take down
b) take in
c) take after
4. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted. I ____ what I said.
a) take down
b) take off
c) take back
5. The children ____ their grandfather in their love of gardening.
a) take after
b) take on
c) take out
6. Please ____ your shoes before you come inside.
a) take out
b) take over
c) take off
7. She didn’t ____ the offer to work abroad because she wanted to stay near her family.
a) take up on
b) take over
c) take down
8. He finally ____ running every morning before breakfast.
a) took to
b) took over
c) took apart
9. Can you ____ the old curtains so we can hang the new ones?
a) take after
b) take down
c) take out
10. She felt upset and ____ her frustration ____ her colleagues.
a) took / on
b) took / after
c) took / out on
Quiz Answers
1) take up
2) take on
3) take in
4) take back
5) take after
6) take off
7) take up on
8) took to
9) take down
10) took out on
