Collocation means a group of words which usually go together. To reach detailed collocation list with "take" in English.
Collocations with "take"! Learn commonly used collocations and expressions with "take" in English with example and meanings to improve your English.
Common expressions with "take"
Phrases can be formed as "verb followed by noun" or used as "idioms". Here are some:
1. Take (someone or something) to court
To sue or initiate legal proceedings against someone or an organization.
- I will take you to court if you persist in pestering my client.
2. Take a break
To stop doing something for a short period of time, especially in order to rest or to focus one's energy elsewhere.
- I wanted to take a break and work on some things."
3. Take a holiday
Literally, when you're going to take a vacation.
- He had intended to take a holiday in New York."
4. Take a look
Literally, it is said to have a look.
- I'll take a look at the website and let you know what I think.
5. Take a number
imperative Wait your turn; get in line; there are a lot of other people looking or waiting for the same thing as you. (Refers to offices or shops that distribute printed numbers to let customers know the order in which they'll be helped. Often said somewhat ironically or sarcastically.)
- I think it will take a number of months for this to play out.
6. Take a picture
To photograph someone or something.
- Hi there, I work for a marketing agency hired by the nightclub. Do you mind if I take a picture?
7. Take steps to (do something)
To do what is necessary to prepare for or begin doing something.
- We're currently taking steps to secure funding for the project before we announce it to the public.
8. Take a while/ a minute/ five minutes
Literally, it is said to take a break for a while.
Literally, it is said when taking advice.
- We don't have to take advice from him.
10. Take care of (someone or something)
To look after, assume responsibility for, or care for someone or something.
- My mother started working weekends, so I have to stay home and take care of my siblings.
Euphemism To murder someone or dispose of something.
- The mob boss told his lackey to take care of the witness so he couldn't testify.
11. Take exercise
Literally, it is said to exercise.
- "Take exercise if you're out of shape.
12. Take medicine
Literally, it is said to take medicine.
- Take medicine when you get gripes.
13. Take notice (of something)
To give something your attention.
- Voters are beginning to take notice of him as a serious candidate.
14. Take place
To happen.
- The story takes place in the 18th century.
15. Take (one's) time
To go at one's own preferred pace; to use as much time as one needs or desires.
- There are a lot of things we need to get right, so let's be sure to take our time on this.
16. Take a load off (one's) mind
To relieve one of a source of stress or worry; to comfort or calm one.
- Thanks for explaining what you meant by your comments yesterday. That takes a load off my mind.
17. Take a leap of faith
To do something based largely or entirely on one's faith that it is correct or will work, despite having little or no evidence or assurance thereof.
- I feel a bit wary that people seem so eager to take a leap of faith about driverless cars being free to drive in our streets.
In video games, to make one's character jump when the player is unable to see where they will land.
- Because the game doesn't offer any control over the camera, there are a number of occasions where you have to take a leap of faith and just hope for the best.
18. Take a gander
To look at or review something.
- Here, take a gander at this report and tell me what you think.
19. Take a gander (at someone or something)
To glance or look at someone or something, especially in a quick, informal, or nonchalant manner.
- Hey, Barry, come take a gander at this engine and see if you can tell what's wrong with it.
20. Take a cold shower
To dampen or suppress sexual urges or feelings by distracting oneself with some kind of activity. Typically used as an imperative.
- You're losing your mind over this girl. Go take a cold shower before you do something stupid.
21. Take a dim view (of someone or something)
To view (something) unfavorably; to disapprove (of something).
- I'm afraid the administration is taking a dim view of that legislation, so it will most likely get vetoed.
22. Take a hammering
To be thoroughly beaten or thrashed.
- My younger brother was always a shy, skinny kid who often took a hammering from schoolyard bullies.
To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose by a wide margin.
- Their team's inexperience showed on the pitch today, as they took a hammering from the powerful squad from New Zealand.
To suffer severe losses or setbacks.
- The stock market took a hammering over the weekend after fears of Greece's exit from the Eurozone.
To be very strongly rebuked, criticized, or condemned.
- The giant supermarket chain has taken a hammering lately over allegations that they've been threatening local shops and markets.
23. Take (something) like a man
To suffer, endure, or accept something in a stoic, unemotional manner.
- I'm sorry for being blunt, but if you can't take criticism like a man, then I suggest you find work in a different industry.
24. Take a load off (one's feet)
To sit down and rest one's feet; to relax. (Usually said as a suggestion.)
- Why don't you go take a load off for a while, and I'll fix dinner for tonight?
25. Take a licking but keep on ticking
To continue to function, endure, or persevere despite suffering injuries, damage, setbacks, losses, failures, etc. Taken from an advertisement for Timex wrist-watches: "It takes a Licking and keeps on ticking".
- When you're younger, your body can take a licking but keep on ticking, so it's easy to fall into a false sense of invulnerability.
26. Take a hard right
To make a sharp right turn.
- Take a hard right at Main Street and you'll see the shop up ahead on the right.
27. Take a firm line (on or against something)
To publicly assert one's opinion or defense of or opposition to something without relenting.
- Though an unpopular opinion, the principal took a firm line on keeping classes separated by gender.
28. Take a backseat
To be given a lower priority.
- Unfortunately, I had the flu last week, so everything else around the house had to take a back seat.
To willingly take a less prominent role in some situation.
- I took a back seat during the presentation because I knew you could handle it.
29. Take a breather
To take a short pause or hiatus (from something).
- You can go ahead on the hike if you want, I'm going to stop here and take a breather.
30. Take (some) time off from work
To take some amount of time in which one does not engage in one's work.
- I'm taking some time off from work to get my divorce straightened out.
31. Take a load off (one's) mind
To relieve one of a source of stress or worry; to comfort or calm one.
- I bet it will take a load off your mind to get this test over and done with, huh?
32. Take a blind bit of notice
To give one's attention to someone or something. Almost always used in the negative to convey the opposite. Primarily heard in UK, Australia.
- I've been trying to show her I fancy her, but she hasn't taken a blind bit of notice.
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