Set expressions with the verb take. Phrasal verb Take
We continue to get acquainted with phrasal verbs. Another popular verb is take.
In this article we will look at its use and the 13 phrasal verbs it forms.
13 meanings of the phrasal verb take in English
Let's look at the basic meanings of the phrasal verb take:
1. Phrasal verb take away
Translation: take away, remove, subtract, subtract
Meaning: Take something from somewhere, take possession of something alien
The waiter took our plates away.
The waiter cleared our plates.
They took his phone away.
They took his phone.
2. Phrasal verb take after
Translation: hit someone
Meaning: Be like an older family member
She takes after her mother
She looks like her mother.
I think he takes after his father.
I think he looks like his father.
3. Phrasal verb take apart
Translation: Take apart
Meaning: Divide something into different parts
Help me take phone apart.
Help me take apart the phone.
He likes to take electric devices apart.
He enjoys disassembling electrical appliances.
4. Phrasal verb take along
Translation: Bring with you, take on the road
Meaning: Take someone/something with you to a certain place
He took some friends along to the party.
He brought a couple of friends with him to the party.
We took the camera along.
We took the camera with us.
5. Phrasal verb take aside
Translation: Take aside, recall
Meaning: Call someone to talk privately
My boss took me aside.
My boss pulled me aside.
They took her aside to tell it.
They called her aside to tell her this.
6. Phrasal verb take back
Translation: To return something, to take back what was said
Meaning: Return something to the place where you got it or bought it from.
He took a book back.
He returned the book.
I take back everything I said about him.
I take back everything I said about him.
7. Phrasal verb take down
Translation: 1. Take off from somewhere, take off clothes 2. Write down
Meaning:
1. Remove something that is on the wall from a person
2. Take notes, notes
He took the pictures down.
He took down the paintings.
She took down my telephone number.
She wrote down my phone number.
8. Phrasal verb take on
Translation: Take over
Meaning: Take responsibility for something
She doesn't want to take on too much work.
She doesn't want to take on too much work.
He takes on all tasks.
He takes on all the tasks.
9. Phrasal verb take off
Translation: 1. Take off clothes 2. Take a day off
Meaning: 1. Take off something 2. Take a break from work
He took off his hat.
He took off his hat.
I'm going to take two days off.
I'm going to take two days off.
10. Phrasal verb take over
Translation: Take over (leadership, position), take over
Meaning: Take control and responsibility for something
He took over his father's business.
He took over his father's business.
She takes over the leadership.
She takes charge.
11. Phrasal verb take through
Translation: Explain to someone
Meaning: Communicate something to someone in a way that makes it clear
My teacher took me through this rule.
My teacher explained this rule to me.
His colleague took him through the idea.
His colleague explained the idea to him.
12. Phrasal verb take to
Translation: To like, to feel sympathy for someone, to become attached
Meaning: Start loving someone, something
He wasn't taken to his mother.
He was attached to his mother.
She took to him quickly.
She quickly became attached to him.
13. Phrasal verb take up
Translation: 1. Start doing something 2. Take (time, place)
Meaning: 1. Start doing a specific job or other activity 2. Use a time or place
She takesup dancing.
She starts dancing.
This sofa takes up too much space.
This sofa takes up too much space.
So, we got acquainted with the phrasal verb take. Now let's practice using it.
Reinforcement task
Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments.
1. She put the box away.
2. We returned her wallet.
3. He looks like a grandfather.
4. She will bring her friend with her.
5. We started drawing.
In order not to miss new useful materials,
The next word we will work with is phrasal verb take , the number of values of which is as large as that of . If you look in the dictionary, you will find that the dictionary entry devoted to this verb takes up more than one page, and there are not so few examples of its use. We will be interested in combinations of this phrasal verb with various ones, thanks to which this word acquires new meanings different from its main one.
Meanings of the phrasal verb take
As we know, the original meaning of this verb is conveyed by the following words - take, take, catch. In what other meanings can you find this phrasal verb?
- Take after- resemble (parents, relatives).
Jane is very short – she takes after her grandmother. – Jane is very short, she took after her grandmother.
- Take along- take with you (on the road), bring, bring.
She took her sister along to the hospital. “She brought her sister to the hospital.
Take me along. - Take me with you.
- Take apart- disassemble, analyze, criticize (scold, reprimand someone).
He spent two days taking his car apart. “He took his car apart for two days.
The director will take her excuses apart. “The director will quickly figure out her excuses.”
- Take aside– take aside, recall (to talk).
It was a serious question and she decided to take him aside in order not to involve others in the discussion. “It was a serious question, and she decided to put it aside so as not to involve the others in the discussion.
- Take away- clean up, pick up, take away; subtract, subtract.
He was taken away to prison. - He was taken to prison.
Take 10 away from 100. – Subtract ten from a hundred.
You can take our plates away. - You can clear the table.
- Take back- return, take back (admit that your opinion is wrong).
It’s not easy to take back everything I said but I will do this. “It’s not easy to take back what you said, but I will do it.”
Take this bag back to the shop and change it. – Take this bag back to the store and change it.
- Take down– remove (from somewhere), take off (clothes), demolish, record, disassemble (a car), knock down arrogance (from someone); reduce (price), destroy.
Did you take down his speech? – Did you record his speech?
She took down the picture from the wall. “She took the picture off the wall.
The building was taken down. - The building was demolished.
Take your coat down. - Take off your coat.
- Take in- bring in; sew (clothes), remove (sails); include; assimilate; deceive; give shelter (take in residents); take work home; inspect, visit.
It was a boring lesson and I didn’t take in the essence of the new theme. – It was a boring lesson, and I did not understand the essence of the new topic.
You could earn some extra money by taking in students. – You can earn extra money if you provide housing for students.
She takes in sewing. – She takes sewing home.
She took in her skirt. - She sewed her skirt.
We were completely taken in. - We had a great time.
- Take off– take off (clothes), take away, take away, take away; copy, imitate; take off; lift the ban; gain popularity, enjoy success; take a break from work (take time off).
Take your hands off the table. - Take your hands off the table.
I had a lot of work and now I’m going to take two days off. – I had a lot of work, and now I want to take two days off.
The plane took off in time. – The plane took off on time.
He took off his cap. - He took off his cap.
- Take on- take, take over; hire (hire); acquire; worry; fight someone.
She doesn't want to take on too much work. “She doesn’t want to take on too much work.”
I should take you on at basketball sometime. “I need to compete with you in basketball someday.”
The word took on a new meaning. – The word has acquired a new meaning.
The last sentence in the examples is very relevant for our article, because in different combinations the phrasal verb take really takes on new meanings.
- Take out– take out, extract, remove; remove (walk) and remove (remove stain); destroy; give vent to anger, settle scores; write out.
Are you taking him out for his birthday? – Are you taking him somewhere for his birthday?
Don’t take it out on me, I am not guilty. – Don’t blame it on me, it’s not my fault.
I'm afraid of taking out teeth. - I'm afraid of pulling my teeth.
- Take over– take leadership, take responsibility, take ownership; take over.
Who’ll be taking over from Chris when he retires? – Who will take Chris's place when he retires?
After some discussions he decided to take over the leadership in organizing of this expedition. “After several discussions, he decided to take a leadership role in organizing this expedition.
- Take through- to carry out, to complete, to explain.
My English teacher took me through my first book of English. – My English teacher helped me with my first English book.
- Take to- become addicted, become attached.
For some reason, I took to him quickly. “For some reason, I quickly became attached to him.
- Take up- lift up; accept(call); remove, dig up; shorten; to take place); take on something, do something; meet someone; acquire, accept.
I think I should take up jogging. – I think I need to start running.
Let's look today at the most popular phrasal verbs with take that are used in everyday speech. Verb take in English language one of the first to study. Everyone knows perfectly well that it is translated as “take.” But do you know how the meaning of take changes in sentences depending on what preposition comes after it?
Take after somebody
To talk about similarity, we can use the words resemble, similar, like. But when it comes to similarities with parents in behavior or appearance, it is most appropriate to use the phrasal verb take after.
Example:
They always say me that I take after my dad.
People always tell me that I look like my father.
Be taken back
Looking for a synonym for the word shocked? To be taken back is perfect for this. As you already understand, this phrasal verb means “to be shocked.”
Example:
I'm still taken back by what happened.
I'm still in shock about what happened.
Take away
This phrasal verb has several meanings, so you always need to be attentive to the context.
How many peaches would you have if you had five peaches and someone took away three of them?
How many peaches will you have left if you had five and someone took three of them?
The second meaning is to take something away from someone.
It’s like taking away the baby’s candy.
It's like taking candy from a child.
Take away also means buying food to take away.
A sandwich and a large cake to take away, please.
Sandwich and large coke to go, please.
Take away from something
Decreasing the value of something.
He seems to be a smart guy, but the fact that he doesn’t have a master degree takes away from his advantages over other candidates for this position.
He seems like a smart guy, but the fact that he doesn't have a master's degree makes him a little less advantageous than other candidates.
Take something back
Sometimes you blurt out something without thinking, and you really want to take your words back- take back your words.
Well, sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you. I'll take it back. You don't look fat in this dress.
Okay, sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I take my words back. You don't look fat in this dress.
Take something apart
Take apart.
Your keyboard looks really dirty, try taking it apart to clean.
Your keyboard looks dirty, try taking it apart to clean it.
Take down
Has three meanings. The first is to remove something. Sometimes used in relation to a person
Just take down the picture to see the hole in the wall that was left by the former owner.
Simply remove the painting to reveal the hole in the wall left by the previous owner.
The second thing is to write things down.
I should take down your personal details before you visiting the doctor.
Before you go to the doctor, I must write down your personal information.
Third - destroy.
Are you sure you have taken down all pieces of evidence?
Are you sure you destroyed all the evidence?
Take for something
Taking something for something.
Example:
— Do you really take me for an idiot?
Do you really take me for an idiot?
— I won’t take no for an answer.
I won't take no for an answer.
Take in
Another phrasal verb with many meanings.
Take in can mean to take someone in.
When I was going to the shop, I saw a pretty puppy. I decided to take the puppy in, so now she lives with us.
When I was walking to the store, I saw a cute puppy. I decided to take the puppy, now she lives with us.
Understand, absorb, capture some information.
I took in every word the teacher said. It was a really interesting lesson.
I understood every word the teacher said. It was an incredibly interesting lesson.
Tighten/hem clothing to ensure it fits properly.
I like this coat, but I need to take in it at the waist.
I love this coat, but it needs a little cuffing at the waist.
Also take in can be a synonym for the word deceive - to deceive.
Do you really consider me as a person who can be taken in easily?
Do you really think I'm someone who can be easily fooled?
Take off
The first meaning in which this phrasal verb is most often used is to take off clothes/shoes.
Take off your shoes, they got wet.
Take off your boots, they're wet.
Getting your hair cut by a hairdresser.
Can you take off just a little at the back?
Can you trim a little at the back?
Take off (about an airplane)
What time does the plain take off?
What time does this plane take off?
Leave somewhere.
I can let you go to the party, if you promise me that you take off at 11.
I can let you go to the party if you promise you'll leave at 11.
Becomes successful.
His career took off after he’d learned English quite well.
His career took off as soon as he learned English well enough.
Take on
Agree to work or accept some responsibility.
Well, I can take on this task.
Okay, I can take this assignment.
The second meaning is to hire someone to work.
What do you think about Lissa, should we take her on?
What do you think about Lissa, should we hire her?
Take over
Gain control over something.
My company was broke, so an international firm took over it several months ago.
My company was broke, so an international firm took control of it.
Take out
Invite someone to go somewhere (take someone with you to an event/cafe/cinema, etc.).
John is taken me out to the theater.
John is taking me to the theater today.
Receive some service.
I had to take out a loan to open my first shop.
I had to get a loan to open my first store.
Withdraw money from a bank account.
Do you know where the nearest cash machine is? I need to take out some money.
Do you know where the nearest ATM is? I need to withdraw money.
Remove someone (meaning kill).
The cop was taken out by Mafioso.
The cop was killed by a mobster.
Take (it) out on somebody
Spoil someone's mood simply because you are in a bad mood.
I try to avoid people who take out on others.
I try to avoid people who blame their bad mood on others.
Take somebody through something
Explain something in detail.
Do you understand this topic? Or should I take you through it?
Do you understand this topic? Or should I explain it to you in detail?
Take to
Start to love something.
I didn’t like the jeans my sister gave me, but now I take to them.
I didn't like the jeans my sister gave me. But now I'm starting to love them.
Get used to something (followed by a gerund).
I'm taking to waking up early.
I'm getting used to waking up early.
Take up
Start doing something new (sports, hobbies)
I’m thinking of taking up yoga class.
I'm thinking about starting to take yoga classes.
Take up space or time
Sorry, I can’t go to a gym with you, English lessons take up all my free time.
Sorry, I can’t go to the gym with you, English lessons take up all my free time.
Start again
We took up where we had left off.
We picked up where we left off.
We hope you found the article useful and found some useful phrasal verbs with take to learn. Don't forget to come up with your own examples of their use for quick memorization.
Phrasal verbs are one of the characteristic features in English. They represent an integral indivisible semantic unit. A verb is combined with a postposition (preposition or adverb), and its basic meaning can change completely or partially. One of the most common mistakes made by beginners is trying to translate every word. It should be remembered that there are many in the English language that cannot be divided into component parts when translated, otherwise the meaning will be distorted.
Basic meanings and forms
This verb is irregular, so the second and third forms differ from the standard ones. The forms of the verb take are as follows:
- take;
- took;
- taken.
The main translation is “take, take.” However, the word covers a wide range of meanings. In addition, when translating, you should pay attention to neighboring words and context. This table presents stable expressions.
Not all stable phrases are presented here, this is just a small list. As you accumulate vocabulary, you will be able to add new expressions to your personal vocabulary.
Phrasal verb to take (in combination with prepositions)
The following table provides a list of the most common uses of the word take in combination with various prepositions.
| take | after | to be like someone, to be like, to be like someone |
| against | dislike, dislike, be against | |
| along | take with you, bring | |
| around | accompany, show (sights) | |
| before | submit for consideration, propose (question) for consideration | |
| below | go down | |
| by | take by the shoulders | |
| for | mistake for someone | |
| from | subtract, subtract, reduce | |
| in | 1) to shelter someone, to give shelter; |
|
| off | 1) eliminate, remove; |
|
| on | 1) assume (responsibilities); |
|
| out | 1) invite, take (to a restaurant, cinema), bring “to the world”; |
|
| over | replace (at work), take over tasks, responsibilities | |
| through | to carry out, to complete what has been started | |
| to | 1) fall in love, become attached; |
|
| up | 1) take (something for certain purposes); |
|
| up on | take one's word for it | |
| up with | to be satisfied, satisfied with something |
Some phrases have two or more meanings. This feature must be taken into account when translating. However, everything is not as complicated as it might seem at first. Even if you are unfamiliar with any expression, when reading an article or book you will be able to guess the meaning of a particular lexical unit from the context and find the correct translation. Next, you can check in the dictionary to see how correctly you understood the meaning. This method of replenishing your vocabulary is much more effective than simply memorizing a set of words.
Phrasal verb take (in combination with adverbs)
In addition to prepositions, they are also often formed using adverbs. There are many different combinations (verb to take + adverb). The following table presents a small list of such lexical units. As mentioned in the previous section, some expressions have several translation options.
| take | back | to surprise, to surprise |
| aboard | load, take on board, load onto a ship | |
| abroad | 1) go abroad; |
|
| accross (to) | transport, transport | |
| apart | 1) analyze in detail, understand; |
|
| aside | take aside, recall (talk) | |
| away | remove, take away, take away, subtract, take away | |
| back | 1) renounce, refuse, admit that you were wrong; |
|
| down | 1) take off (clothes); |
Usage examples
Trying to learn phrases out of context will not lead to success. It is very important to learn how to use new words in practice. In order to master a phrasal verb take, you need to include it in your speech. Below are some examples of its use:
- Whom does Tom take after in his family? - Which member of his family is Tom like?
- My hobbies take up a lot of my time. - My hobbies take up most of my time.
- I have taken up the study of Spanish. - I started learning Spanish.
- Most of the planes take off in any weather. - Most planes take off in any weather.
- People are always requested to take off their coats at the theatre. - In the theater, people should always take off their outerwear.
Exercises with answers
Another way to master phrasal verbs take- do a lot of exercises. Repeated repetition and application of the learned material in practice will help you to navigate this topic well.
Exercise 1
Take up is a phrasal verb that has several translation options depending on the context. The following translation exercise from Russian into English will help you work through the different uses of this phrase.
- My neighbor took too much of my time.
- This red wardrobe is taking up too much space here.
- Ann, take this book and start reading.
- I intended to become a journalist after school.
- She took up music three years ago.
- They raised this issue at the meeting.
- She wants to start working. So she starts next week.
This exercise is designed to work on some other phrasal verbs.
- Your son is very similar to you.
- Take off your coat and have a cup of tea.
- Most people mistake me for my sister because she looks like me.
- I can't get used to this city.
Answers to the exercises:
Exercise 1
- My neighbor has taken up too much of my time.
- This red wardrobe takes up too much room here.
- Ann, take up this book and start reading.
- I intended to take up journalism after school.
- She took up music three years ago.
- They took up this matter on the meeting.
- She wants to start working. So she is going to take up the next week.
Exercise 2
- Your son takes after you.
- Take down your coat and have cup of tea.
- Most of people take me for my sister because she takes after me.
- I can't take to this town.
Phrasal verb take- one of the most common, so detailed study of various combinations will help to significantly advance on the path to learning English.
