take on

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Word: Take on

Definition: The phrase "take on" has several meanings in English, but it generally means to accept or confront something. It can refer to accepting a challenge, taking responsibility, or adopting a particular form or quality.

Usage Instructions:

• "Take on" can be used in different contexts, such as sports, work, or personal challenges. It's often followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing).

Examples:

1. Accept a Challenge:

   • "The team decided to take on their rivals in the championship game."
   • Here, "take on" means to compete against an opponent.

2. Assume Responsibilities:

   • "She will take on the role of project manager starting next month."
   • In this case, "take on" means to accept a new responsibility or position.

3. Adopt an Aspect:

   • "His voice took on a serious tone when he spoke about the issue."
   • Here, "take on" means to change or adopt a particular quality.

Advanced Usage:

• You can also use "take on" in more complex sentences to express deeper meanings:
  • "As the company grows, it will take on more employees to meet the demand."
  • "The story took on a darker theme as it progressed."

Word Variants:

• Took on (past tense)
• Taking on (present participle)

Different Meanings:

1. Contend Against an Opponent:
   • "We are ready to take on any challenges that come our way."
2. Admit into a Group:
   • "The club will take on new members after the election."
3. Assume a Form or Quality:
   • "The clouds took on a pink hue during sunset."

Synonyms:

• Accept
• Confront
• Undertake
• Adopt
• Assume

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Take on board: To understand or consider something.
  • "I will take your suggestions on board and think about them."
• Take on too much: To accept more responsibility than one can handle.
  • "Be careful not to take on too much work this semester."

Summary:

"Take on" is a versatile phrase that can mean to compete against someone, to accept responsibilities, or to adopt certain qualities.

Academic

Verb

1. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
   • Princeton plays Yale this weekend
   • Charlie likes to play Mary
2. admit into a group or community
   • accept students for graduate study
   • We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
3. accept as a challenge
   • I'll tackle this difficult task
4. take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
   • When will the new President assume office?
5. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
   • His voice took on a sad tone
   • The story took a new turn
   • he adopted an air of superiority
   • She assumed strange manners
   • The gods assume human or animal form in these fables

Synonyms

• meet
• encounter
• play
• accept
• admit
• take
• undertake
• tackle
• assume
• adopt
• take over
• acquire