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0
to remove something, especially without permission:
Has anything been taken (= stolen)?
Here's your pen - I took it by mistake.
All her possessions had been taken from her.
If you take 4 (away) from 12 you get 8.
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1
to move something or someone from one place to another:
The weather forecast said rain, so take your umbrella (with you) when you go out.
The suitcases were taken to San Antonio by mistake.
Take the book up/down to the third floor of the library.
[ + two objects ] I suggested that he should take her some chocolates/take some chocolates to her (= bring them to her as a present).
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2
to accept or have:
Do they take credit cards here?
Do you take milk in your coffee?
This container will take (= has room for) six litres.
UK Which newspaper do you take (= regularly buy)?
He continually abuses her, and she just sits there and takes it.
If you think I'm going to take that lying down (= accept it without complaining), you're very much mistaken.
I take the/your point (= accept the argument), but I still don't think you should have gone.
I've been very busy recently. Take last week, I had meetings every night after work, except Friday.
[ + to infinitive ] These creatures are generally taken to be descended from primitive fishes.
I could have taken him for (= believed that he was) your brother.
I'm not going to forge his signature for you! What do you take me for? (= You should not believe I could do a thing like that.)
I can't take it any more. I'm leaving.
That's my final offer - you can take it or leave it.
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3
to move in order to hold something in the hand(s):
Can you take this bag while I open the door?
He took my arm and led me outside.
Take an egg and break it into the bowl.
He took hold of the plant's root and pulled.
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4
to go somewhere with someone, often paying for that person or being responsible for them:
We're taking the kids to the zoo on Saturday.
[ + to infinitive ] I took my elderly parents to look at some new houses.
[ + -ing verb ] Will you take me swimming tomorrow?
Let me take you to your room.
Who's taking you to the dance?
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5
to travel somewhere by using a particular form of transport or a particular vehicle, route, etc.:
I always take the train - it's less hassle than a car.
She took the 10.30 flight to Edinburgh.
If you take the road on the left, you'll come to the post office.
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6
to need:
Parachuting takes a lot of nerve.
Transitive verbs take a direct object.
[ + -ing verb ] His story took some believing (= was difficult to believe).
What size shoes do you take?
The cooking process only takes ten minutes.
[ + to infinitive ] How long does this paint take to dry?
[ + obj + noun ] It took us all day to drive home.
I'm just going to the shops - I won't take long.
Broken bones always take time to heal.
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7
to measure something:
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8
to swallow or use a medicine or drug, especially in a regular way:
Take this medicine three times a day.
Do you think she takes drugs?
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9
to do or perform:
Shelley is taking (= studying) economics at university.
UK The Archbishop took our service of thanksgiving.
UK Mr Marshall takes us for (= teaches us) physics.
I think we'll take a break (= we'll stop for a break) there.
If you're tired you should take a rest (= you should rest).
I always like to take a walk (= to walk) after lunch.
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10
to think about something or someone in a particular way:
We're taking the bomb threats very seriously.
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to understand something in a particular way:
I was just teasing him, but he took it the wrong way.
I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.
She gave a nod, which we took to mean that she agreed.
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12
to have or come to have a particular feeling or opinion:
He doesn't take any interest in his children.
Don't take any notice of the cameras.
She takes offence too easily.
They took pity on the stray cat and fed it.
I take the view that fuel should be heavily taxed to reduce road use.
The sudden noise took her by surprise.
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13
to receive money from sales or as payment for entrance to an event:
The show took an astonishing $100,000 in its first week.
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to get possession of something or someone:
Rebels ambushed the train and took several prisoners.
UK The Liberals need just 200 more votes to take the seat from Labour.
With these wins, the Democrats have now taken the House back from the Republicans.
Centre-left parties look set to take power.
Adam, I'd like you to take control of the aircraft now.
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15
to write:
I hope you're all taking notes.
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to work or perform as expected:
These new plants haven't taken - they don't like this dry soil.
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money that is received from sales or as payment for entrance to an event:
The box office take was huge for the new show.
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the filming of a scene (= small part of a film):
This scene needed ten takes before we felt it was right.
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an opinion about something:
We'd love to hear your take on this issue.
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a version of something that shows someone's attitude towards it:
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21
to move something or someone from one place to another:
Please, take me with you!
It may rain, so take your umbrella.
The suitcases were taken to Madrid by mistake.
I thought I’d take her some chocolates.
I take home about $200 a week.
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22
to remove something:
Here’s your pen – I took it by mistake.
A radio was taken from the car.
The fire took her life.
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23
to accept something, or to receive something willingly:
I tried to phone him, but he refused to take my call.
Does this restaurant take credit cards?
Take this medicine three times a day.
I can take three more people in my car.
It’s a girls’ school that has now started taking boys.
Bob took a lot of criticism for his decision.
I refuse to take responsibility for what’s happened.
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24
to think of someone or understand something in a particular way; perceive:
[ + to infinitive ] I took him to be more honest than he really was.
The police are taking the robberies very seriously.
In the dim light I could have taken them for brothers.
I’m not going to forge his signature! What do you take me for?
It’s been really busy. Take last week – we had meetings every day.
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25
to hold something:
He took my arm and led me to my seat.
Can you take this bag while I open the door?
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26
to catch, win, or get possession of something:
Rebels ambushed the train and took several prisoners.
My roses took first prize at the flower show.
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to have as a necessary condition; need:
Parachuting takes a lot of nerve.
I take a size 9 shoe.
Transitive verbs take a direct object.
It didn’t take much persuasion to get her to go with us.
How long does this paint take to dry?
Broken bones always take time to mend.
In rush-hour traffic, it takes forever to get home.
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to do something:
I’ve started taking piano lessons.
The government urged both sides to take steps to end the strike.
We can’t delay any longer – we have to take action (= to act).
In the evening I like to take a walk (= to walk).
If you’re tired, you need to take a nap (= to sleep).
The medicine should take effect quite quickly.
The mothers in our group take turns driving the children to school.
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to measure something:
Better take the baby’s temperature – she may have a fever.
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30
to have or cause to have a particular feeling or opinion:
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31
to cheat someone:
You paid $500 for that thing? I think you got taken.
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32
to write information provided by someone or something:
Take notes as you read.
Journalists took down every word he said during the interview.
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to make a photograph of someone or something:
We took lots of pictures of the new baby.
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34
to travel on something to get from one place to another:
I always take the train.
Take the road on the left to get to my house.
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35
the filming of a small part of a movie:
That scene needed ten takes before they got it right.
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36
the amount of money received from an activity:
The box office take has been huge for the new show.
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37
a particular feeling, opinion, or reaction:
What’s your take on the new proposals for new health care?
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38
to subtract one number or amount from another:
take sth from sth You'll need to take $2,000 from the $8,000 to allow for tax.
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39
to remove something or someone from somewhere:
take sth/sb off (sth) What are we left with after we take off our costs?
I asked for her name to be taken off the list.
They decided to take him off the job and assign him to another department.
take sth away The police took away all of the files for investigation.
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40
to accept or receive something:
Do you take credit cards?
take an order We're taking 5,000 orders a day.
Top executives will take a 10% pay cut.
He took a job as salesman in a local company.
Are you going to take the job if you get offered it?
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41
to receive money from sales or as payment for something:
They took an astonishing $100,000 in their first week.
The company will make money by taking 5% from each bet.
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42
to buy or choose something:
The good news is that they have decided to take 200 units a year.
50% of our total production is taken by just three customers.
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43
to need something:
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44
if something takes a particular amount of time, that time is needed in order to finish it:
They estimated that the project would take about 6 months to complete.
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45
to have the necessary qualities or abilities to do something:
Have you got what it takes to be in charge of a department?
If you don't have what it takes, you're not going to last long.
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46
used when you are offering something to someone to say that you will not improve your offer:
And that's our final offer. Take it or leave it.
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47
to be involved in something with other people:
Most of the board members took part in the discussions.
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48
to think carefully about a situation or event and form an opinion about it, so that you can decide what to do:
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49
to need a lot of time:
It's going to take time to get this department running smoothly again.
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50
money that is received from sales or as payment for something:
The players now get 75% of the take.
Tour operators had come to rely on the commission from insurance to increase their take.
Last weekend's take was down over 50%.
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51
to accept money for helping someone to do something illegal:
They vowed to punish officials on the take.
