Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To accept or undertake a responsibility, duty, or challenge: To agree to do something that requires effort or commitment.
   • To acquire or begin to have a particular quality, appearance, or form: To start to display a specific characteristic or attribute.
   • To admit someone into a group or institution: To allow someone to join or become part of an organization.
   • To engage in competition or conflict with an opponent: To face someone in a contest, game, or battle.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • She decided to take on the leadership role for the new project.
  • His voice took on a serious tone when he discussed the deadline.
  • The university will take on 50 new graduate students this fall.
  • The boxer agreed to take on the reigning champion.

Advanced Usage

• "to take on board": To accept and consider an idea or piece of advice.

  • The manager promised to take the team's feedback on board.

• "to take on water": (Literal) To begin filling with water, as a ship. (Figurative) To get into serious trouble or difficulty.

  • The company is taking on water financially and may need to restructure.

Variants and Related Words

• Undertake (verb): To commit oneself to and begin a task or responsibility.
• Assume (verb): To take on or adopt a role, duty, or appearance.
• Adopt (verb): To take up, follow, or use; can also mean to take someone into a relationship, especially a child.

Synonyms

• Accept: To receive or undertake something offered.
• Shoulder: To bear a burden or responsibility.
• Acquire: To come into possession or ownership of.
• Face: To confront or deal with a challenge or opponent.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Take over: To assume control or responsibility from someone else.

  • She will take over the department when the manager retires.

• Take up: To begin a new hobby, activity, or cause.

  • He decided to take up painting in his spare time.

Related Idioms

• Take on a life of its own: To develop in a way that is out of one's control or beyond the original plan.

  • The rumor took on a life of its own and spread quickly through the office.

• Take on too much: To accept more responsibilities or work than one can handle.

  • Be careful not to take on too much or you'll risk burnout.

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