Meaning
"Take on" is a phrasal verb with several meanings depending on context:
- To accept a responsibility, task, or challenge.
- To employ or hire someone.
- To fight, oppose, or compete with someone.
- To begin to have a particular quality, appearance, or role.
Grammar and Usage
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Verb type: Transitive (needs an object in many cases).
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Structures:
- take on + responsibility/task → "accept responsibility"
- take on + employee → "hire"
- take on + opponent → "fight/compete with"
- take on + appearance/role → "begin to look/act like"
Common Phrases
- Take on responsibility
- Take on staff
- Take on a challenge
- Take on a new role
- Take on the appearance
Collocations
- Nouns: responsibility, task, challenge, project, employee, job, role, opponent, appearance
- Adjectives/Adverbs: eagerly take on, bravely take on, willingly take on
Examples
- She decided to take on more responsibility at work.
- The company will take on five new employees next month.
- He is ready to take on his biggest opponent in the final match.
- The problem has taken on a new dimension.
- She was hesitant at first, but then she took on the challenge.
- The teacher agreed to take on extra duties for the semester.
- His voice took on a serious tone during the meeting.
- Our team is willing to take on any project that comes our way.
Synonyms or Related
- Accept
- Undertake
- Shoulder
- Confront
- Hire
- Employ
Antonym
- Refuse
- Reject
- Lay off (for employment context)
- Avoid