TAKE

verb [T ] A1 • synonyms: get, grab, carry, require • take something somewhere; take time; take a bus/train/taxi • take medicine/photos/a break/a shower; it takes (time/effort) • freq in AmE: 10/10

to get and hold something, to move or carry something or someone to another place, or to require a certain amount of time or effort

verb [T ] A1 | take - took - taken | • take something/someone somewhere; take something to someone • take the kids/dog/trash; take this/that upstairs/downstairs/outside • US freq: 10/10 ⇒ always shows movement away from the speaker — opposite of bring

(MOVE/CARRY) to move or carry something or someone from one place to another ⇒ this is different from "bring" because it means moving something away from here (or to a place that isn't here), while "bring" means moving something toward here

verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: require, need, demand • it takes (time) to do something; take time/effort/patience/courage • how long does it take; it takes hours/days/years; it takes a lot of • freq in AmE (this meaning): 10/10

(REQUIRE TIME/EFFORT) to need or require a particular amount of time, effort, energy, or a specific quality to accomplish something

verb [T ] A1 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: grab, grasp, hold, pick up • take something from somewhere; take someone’s hand • take a seat/cookie/pen; take hold of something • freq in AmE (this meaning): 9/10

(GET/GRAB) to get something in your hands and hold it, or to reach for and grasp something

verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: use, ride, travel by • take a bus/train/taxi/plane/subway/flight • take the 7:30 train; take public transportation; take a ride • freq in AmE: 9/10

(USE TRANSPORT) to travel somewhere by using a particular form of transportation

verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: swallow, use, ingest • take medicine/medication/pills/tablets/vitamins/drugs • take antibiotics/painkillers; take with food/water; take regularly/daily • freq in AmE: 8/10

(CONSUME/INGEST) to swallow or use medicine, drugs, vitamins, or similar substances, usually for health purposes

verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: remove, steal, take away • take something from someone/somewhere • someone took my...; take things without permission; take away/off • freq in AmE: 7/10

(REMOVE) to remove something from a place or person, sometimes without permission or by force ⇒ it means stealing or unauthorized removal, it’s often used instead of “steal” in less formal or less accusatory contexts

verb [T ] B1 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: accept, receive, agree to • take advice/credit cards/a gift/an apology • refuse to take; willing to take; take something as (a sign/token); take the/your point (= accept the argument) • freq in AmE: 8/10

(ACCEPT/RECEIVE) to accept, receive, or agree to have something that is offered or given

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: capture a photo, snap a picture • take a photo/picture of someone/something • take photos/pictures; take a good/great/beautiful photo; take selfies • freq in AmE: 10/10

(PHOTOGRAPH) to capture an image using a camera or smartphone; to make a photograph of someone or something

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: have a rest, pause • take a break from something; take a short/quick/long break • need to/should take a break; take a coffee/lunch break; take frequent breaks • freq in AmE: 10/10

to stop working or doing an activity for a short period of time in order to rest

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 | take - took - taken | • synonyms: look after, care for, handle • take care of yourself; take good care of; take care of business/details/problems; I'll take care of it • freq in AmE: 10/10

to be responsible for someone or something by providing what is needed, such as attention, protection, or maintenance

collocation with take verb [T ] A1 mainly US (UK mainly have a shower/bath) • synonyms: have a shower/bath • take a shower/bath; take a long/quick/hot/cold shower • take a morning/evening shower; take a relaxing bath • freq in AmE: 10/10

to wash your body by standing under running water or sitting in a bathtub filled with water

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • take a final/midterm exam; take a driving/placement/standardized test; study for/pass/fail a test • freq in AmE: 9/10 ⇒ British English sometimes uses "sit an exam," but Americans almost exclusively use "take"

to participate in an examination or assessment to demonstrate knowledge or skills

collocation with take verb [T ] B1 • take a patient's/child's/baby's temperature; use a thermometer to take temperature • freq in AmE: 8/10 ⇒ NOTE: You must include the possessive (someone's, your, his, her) - you don't say just "take temperature"

(MEASURE) to measure how hot someone's body is, usually to check if they have a fever or illness

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: write notes, jot down • take notes on/about something; take notes during a lecture/meeting • take detailed/careful/good notes; take notes in class • freq in AmE: 9/10

to write down important information while listening to a lecture, meeting, or conversation in order to remember it later

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 (UK also take it in turns, take it in turn) • synonyms: alternate, go in order • take turns doing something; take turns with something • take turns at/on something; it's your turn; whose turn is it? • freq in AmE: 8/10

to do something one after another in a fair order, with each person having their opportunity

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 (UK also take it in turns, take it in turn) • synonyms: alternate, go in order • it's your turn; whose turn is it? • freq in AmE: 8/10

to do something one after another in a fair order, with each person having their opportunity

collocation with take verb [I ] B1 formal • synonyms: happen, occur • take place at/in (location); take place on (date/day) • will/is going to take place; event/meeting/ceremony takes place; changes are taking place • freq in AmE: 8/10

to happen or occur, especially for planned events

expression B2 • synonyms: use an opportunity, exploit • take advantage of an opportunity/situation/offer • take full advantage of; take advantage of someone's kindness/generosity • freq in AmE: 8/10

to use an opportunity or situation to benefit yourself, or to treat someone unfairly for your own benefit ⇒ this expression has two meanings: (1) positive - using a good opportunity, and (2) negative - exploiting someone unfairly

collocation with take verb [T ] B2 • synonyms: accept responsibility, be accountable • take responsibility for something/someone • take full/personal responsibility; refuse to take responsibility; need to/should take responsibility • freq in AmE: 8/10

to accept that you are in charge of something or accountable for what happens, including accepting blame when things go wrong

collocation with take verb [T ] B1 • synonyms: treat seriously, regard as important • take something/someone seriously • take it/this seriously; not take something seriously; take yourself too seriously • freq in AmE: 9/10

to treat something as important and worthy of attention, not as a joke or something trivial

collocation with take verb [T ] B1 • synonyms: respect, believe, give credence to • take someone seriously; want to be taken seriously • not take someone seriously; people don't take you seriously; nobody takes him/her seriously • freq in AmE: 9/10

to believe what someone says and treat their words, opinions, or abilities as important and worthy of attention

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 (also mainly UK have a look) • synonyms: check out, examine • take a look at something; take a quick/close/good look • take a look and see; can you take a look?; let me take a look • freq in AmE: 10/10

to examine or observe something briefly; to direct your attention to see something

collocation with take verb [T ] B2 • synonyms: act, do something, take steps • take action on/against something; take immediate/swift/urgent action • need to/must/should take action; take decisive action; fail to take action • freq in AmE: 8/10

to do something in response to a situation or problem; to act rather than just talk or plan

collocation with take verb [I ] B1 • synonyms: participate, join in, be involved • take part in something; take part in activities/events/discussions • actively take part; refuse to/choose to take part; encourage someone to take part • freq in AmE: 8/10

to participate or be involved in an activity, event, or process with others

expression A2 • synonyms: don't rush, go slow • take your time doing something; take your time with something • take all the time you need; don't take too much time • freq in AmE: 9/10

to do something without hurrying; to use as much time as you need without feeling rushed

collocation with take verb [T ] B2 • synonyms: gamble, dare • take a chance/risk on something/someone • take a big/huge/calculated risk; willing to take a chance • freq in AmE: 8/10 ⇒ "risk" emphasizing potential negative consequences more than "chance"

to do something that involves uncertainty or potential danger, accepting that something bad might happen

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: go for a walk, stroll • take a walk in/around/through somewhere • take a long/short/quick walk; take a morning/evening walk; take daily/regular walks • freq in AmE: 9/10

to go for a walk, usually for exercise, relaxation, or to clear your mind

collocation with take verb [T ] A1 • synonyms: sit down, have a seat • take your seat/seats; take a seat anywhere/over there • freq in AmE: 9/10 -> it’s more formal and courteous than simply saying “sit down”

to sit down, usually an invitation or instruction to sit

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: have a nap, doze off • take a nap; take a quick/short/long nap • take an afternoon nap; need to/want to take a nap • freq in AmE: 8/10

to sleep for a short period during the day

expression A2 informal • synonyms: relax, calm down, take care (goodbye) • you should/need to take it easy • doctor told me to take it easy; take it easy! (calm down) • freq in AmE: 10/10

to relax and not work too hard or worry too much, or used as a casual way to say goodbye

expression B2 • synonyms: not appreciate, undervalue • take something/someone for granted • don't/never take for granted; feel taken for granted • freq in AmE: 8/10

to fail to appreciate someone or something because you assume they will always be there or that something will always be available

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: breathe deeply, inhale deeply • take a few deep breaths • need to take a deep breath; take a deep breath and (do something) • freq in AmE: 9/10

to inhale deeply, often to calm yourself, prepare for something difficult, or relax

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: go on a trip, travel • take a trip to (place); take a trip around; take a business/weekend/road trip • take a short/long trip; plan to/want to take a trip • freq in AmE: 9/10

to go on a journey or travel somewhere, usually for pleasure or business

collocation with take verb [T ] B2 • synonyms: accept responsibility, shoulder the blame • take the blame for something • refuse to take the blame; willing to take the blame; unfairly take the blame • freq in AmE: 7/10

to accept responsibility for something bad that happened, even if it wasn't entirely your fault

collocation with take verb [I ] B2 • synonyms: choose a side, pick a side, support one party • take sides in something; refuse to take sides • don't/won't take sides; take someone's side; taking sides against someone • freq in AmE: 7/10

to support one person or group in an argument or dispute rather than remaining neutral

collocation with take verb [T ] A2 • synonyms: receive a message, write down a message • can I take a message?; take a message for someone; take a message from someone • take a phone message; someone took a message • freq in AmE: 7/10

to write down or remember information from someone to give to another person who is not available ⇒ related expressions include "leave a message" (what the caller does) and "get a message" (what the recipient does)

grammar pattern with take verb [T ] A1 • structure: take + object + to + place • take someone to school/work/hospital; take something to the store/office • I'll take you to...; can you take me to...? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to move or transport someone or something from one location to a specific destination

grammar pattern with take verb [T ] A2 • structure: take + object + from + source (person/place) • take something from the shelf/table/drawer; take something from someone • where did you take this from? • freq in AmE: 9/10

to get or remove something from a person or location; indicates the source or origin of what is taken

grammar pattern with take verb [T ] A2 • structure: take + object + with + you/me/him/her/us/them • take your phone/keys/wallet with you; take someone with you • don't forget to take... with you; always take... with you • freq in AmE: 10/10

to bring or carry something along when you go somewhere; emphasizes that the item accompanies you

grammar pattern with take verb [T ] B1 • structure: take + medicine/supplement + for + condition/purpose • take aspirin/medicine for headaches/pain; take vitamins for health • what do you take for...?; take something for • freq in AmE: 9/10

to use or consume something (especially medicine) for a specific purpose, condition, or reason ⇒ Note: This construction is specifically common with medicine and supplements. The preposition "for" indicates the purpose or the condition being treated.

grammar pattern with take verb [T ] B1 • structure: take + person + by + the + body part (hand/arm/shoulder) • take someone by the hand/arm; take someone by the shoulders • she took him by the...; he was taken by the... • freq in AmE: 7/10

to grasp or hold someone by a specific part of their body, usually the hand or arm

collocation with take verb [T ] (formal / neutral) B2–C1 • synonyms: get offended, be offended, take something personally, feel insulted • take offense at a remark/joke/comment/tone • freq in AmE: 7/10

to feel hurt, upset, or insulted by what someone says or does, often when no harm was intended ⇒ common in polite or formal AmE when referring to someone feeling insulted without sounding too direct