Definition

1. 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

1. become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style
   • He finally settled down