take root
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To become firmly established or settled: The phrase "take root" describes the process by which something becomes fixed, stable, or begins to grow and develop in a new place or situation. It originates from the literal process of a plant's roots growing into the soil to anchor and nourish it.
Usage
- The verb "take root" is typically used intransitively. It describes a state or process happening to a subject (e.g., an idea, a person, a plant).
- It often implies a period of time before something becomes stable or accepted.
- Common collocations include: an idea takes root, a practice takes root, democracy takes root, a person takes root in a new community.
Examples
- Verb:
- The young tree struggled at first but eventually took root and began to thrive.
- After moving several times, their family was happy to finally take root in a small coastal town.
- For real change to happen, new values must take root in the culture.
Advanced Usage
- "to take root in something": to become established within a specific area, system, or group.
- The invasive species quickly took root in the local ecosystem.
- Fear and suspicion had taken root in the community.
Variants and Related Words
- Root (verb): To fix or establish firmly. Often used with "in" or "out" (e.g., ).
- Rooted (adjective): Firmly established or feeling stable in a place (e.g., ).
- Uproot (verb): To remove or displace from a settled environment; the opposite of taking root.
Synonyms
- Establish itself: To become secure or permanent.
- Settle: To become established in a stable way of life.
- Become ingrained: To become deeply embedded and difficult to remove.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Root for: To support or cheer for someone (e.g., ).
- Root out: To find and remove something completely (e.g., ).
Related Idioms
- Put down roots: To settle permanently in a place and become part of a community. This idiom is very close in meaning to "take root" for people.
- After years of traveling, they decided to buy a house and put down roots.
Verb
- become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style
- He finally settled down