Phrasal Verbs with “Take”

Here's the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “take.”

Phrasal Verb “Take after” Meaning and Examples

To look or behave like an older family member, usually a parent.

Example

What a character she has! I think she took after her mother. They are very similar.

What a character she has! I think she behaves like her mother. They are very similar.

Phrasal Verb “Take against” Meaning and Examples

To not like somebody without reason, to dislike somebody.

Example

You took against my boyfriend as soon as I introduced him to you. You didn’t even give him a chance.

You disliked my boyfriend as soon as I introduced him to you. You didn’t even give him a chance.

Phrasal Verb “Take apart” Meaning and Examples

To disassemble something, to divide something into pieces.

Example

My brother loves fixing devices. He is always taking old TVs apart to fix them.

My brother loves fixing devices. He is always disassembling old TVs to fix them. 

Phrasal Verb “Take aside” Meaning and Examples

To move someone apart from a group in order to talk about something.

Example

I felt the room was weird but I didn’t know why until Martha took me aside and explained to me what had happened.

I felt the room was weird but I didn’t know why until Martha moved me apart from the group and explained to me what had happened.

Phrasal Verb “Take away from” Meaning and Examples

To diminish the importance of something, to give less value to something.

Example

I don’t want to take away from her victory, but the other player was awful today.

I don’t want to diminish the importance of her victory, but the other player was awful today.

Phrasal Verb “Take back” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take back

To take something back to a store for a refund or an exchange. 

Example

I was so excited about my new dress, but it arrived stained. I will have to take it back.

I was so excited about my new dress, but it arrived stained. I will have to return it.

Meaning 2 – Take back

To accept someone again in a relationship or job.

Example

Josh was fired for his behavior, but he apologized, and his manager took him back.

Josh was fired for his behavior, but he apologized, and his manager accepted him again.

Meaning 3 – Take back

To admit something you said was incorrect, wrong, or bad. 

Example

I shouldn’t have said that about your hair. I take it back.

I shouldn’t have said that about your hair. I admit it was wrong.

Meaning 4 – Take back

To make you reminisce about something, to take you to a different time.

Example

This music takes me back to my youth. I used to dance to this song every weekend!

This music makes me reminisce about my youth. I used to dance to this song every weekend.

Phrasal Verb “Take down” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take down

To disassemble something, to separate something into parts.

Example

The stage was shaking, so they had to take it down and build it again.

The stage was shaking, so they had to disassemble it and built it again. 

Meaning 2 – Take down

To write some information.

Example

Did you take down her number? That is important for the investigation.

Did you write her number? That is important for the investigation.

Phrasal Verb “Take for” Meaning and Examples

To wrongly assume something of someone.

Example

They took her for a dumb girl, and she outsmarted them all.

They assumed she was a dumb girl, and she outsmarted them all.

Phrasal Verb “Take in” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take in

To allow something or someone to stay with you.

Example

I found a lovely kitten on the street today and I took it in. Her name is Kitty.

I found a lovely kitten on the street today and I allowed her to stay with me. Her name is Kitty.

Meaning 2 – Take in

To understand and accept something.

Example

The news of our divorce didn’t sit well with the kids, but I am sure they will take it in.

The news of our divorce didn’t sit well with the kids, but I am sure they will understand it. 

Phrasal Verb “Take off” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take off

To remove something, usually pieces of clothing.

Example

I always took off my shoes as soon as I enter the house. I like wearing flip-flops at home.

I always remove my shoes as soon as I enter the house. I like wearing flip-flops at home. 

Meaning 2 – Take off

To leave the ground and take flight (used with planes).

Example

My plane takes off at 8 am. I need to be at the airport two hours before that.

My plane takes flight at 8 am. I need to be at the airport two hours before that.

Meaning 3 – Take off

To become successful rapidly.

Example

Their startup took off last Summer. They are now planning on expanding.

Their startup became successful last Summer. They are no planning on expanding.

Meaning 4 – Take off

To take free time from work.

Example

Jenny needs to take Monday off. Can you cover for her?

Jenny needs to take free time on Monday. Can you cover for her?

Phrasal Verb “Take on” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take on

To employ someone.

Example

Most companies are not taking on new staff due to the pandemic. It is hard to find a job.

Most companies are not employing new staff due to the pandemic. It is hard to find a job. 

Meaning 2 – Take on

To acquire a quality.

Example

She’s taking on an awful attitude. I will have to talk to her.

She’s acquiring an awful attitude. I will have to talk to her.

Meaning 3 – Take on

To accept work, to have a new responsibility.

Example

The company asked me to take on a new project, but I had to refuse it. I don’t have the time.

The company asked me to accept a new project, but I had to refuse it. I don’t have the time.

Meaning 4 – Take on

To compete against something or someone.

Example

PSG took on Bayern Munich on Tuesday and won the match.

PSG competed against Bayern Munich on Tuesday and won the match.

Phrasal Verb “Take out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take out

To remove something from a pocket or bag.

Example

You wouldn’t believe the face of my nephew when I took candy out of my pocket.

You wouldn’t believe the face of my nephew when I removed candy from my pocket.

Meaning 2 – Take out

To invite someone somewhere and pay for them.

Example

When I got my promotion, I took my friends out for dinner.

When I got my promotion, I invited my friends to dinner.

Phrasal Verb “Take over” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take over

To start or continue doing something that someone else was doing.

Example

Could you take over the sauce? I need to check on the kids.

Could you continue cooking the sauce for me? I need to check on the kids.

Meaning 2 – Take over

To take control of something.

Example

The country started suffering when the dictator took over the presidency.

The country started suffering when the dictator took control of the presidency.

Phrasal Verb “Take through” Meaning and Examples

To explain something in detail.

Example

Take me through the plan for tonight. What are we doing?

Explain to me the plan for tonight. What are we doing?

Phrasal Verb “Take to” Meaning and Examples

To begin to like someone or doing something.

Example

My friends took to Johnny immediately. I think that is a good sign. 

My friends begin to like Johnny immediately. I think that is a good sign.

She took to wearing hats. They make her look so beautiful.

She began liking wearing hats. They make her look so beautiful.

Phrasal Verb “Take up” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Take up

To begin doing something, to start a habit.

Example

Jake took up smoking when he was 15 years old. He is now trying to quit.

Jake began smoking when he was 15 years old. He is no trying to quit. 

Meaning 2 – Take up

To consume time or space.

Example

I wanted to download the game but it takes up too much storage.

I wanted to download the game, but it consumes too much storage.

Meaning 3 – Take up

To accept a challenge or offer.

Example

They took up learning Japanese before the Summer. We will see if they succeed.

They accepted the challenge of learning Japanese before the Summer. We will see if they succeed.

Meaning 4 – Take up

To resume doing something.

Example

After the coffee break, we took up where we left to finish the essay.

After the coffee break, we resume where we left to finish the essay.

Phrasal Verb “Take upon” Meaning and Examples

Used as take something upon oneself, this refers to take some responsibility.

Example

She took it upon herself to help the other students succeed in the exam.She took the responsibility of helping the other students succeed in the exam.