TAKE
AFTER
To be similar to someone in appearance or character, especially a family member
She’s very funny. She takes after her mother
ABACK
To surprise or shock someone (old-fashioned, rare)
His voice was so loud that it took us aback at first
APART
Take something apart or separate something into its different parts
He took my phone apart to fix it.
To criticise something
The reviewers took apart the new film.
DOWN
Take something down
To write down a piece of information
She took down John’s number so she could call him back.
Take somebody down
To humble or humiliate someone, to lower/reduce in power
The journalist took the politician down with her difficult questions.
FOR
To believe something about somebody, often wrongly
You took me for an idiot
ON
Take something on
Develop an appearance or quality
The room took on a 1970s look.
Take somebody on
To fight or compete against someone
Germany will take on Mexico in the first round of the World Cup.
OVER
Take over from something
To become bigger/more important than something else, take control
Her desire to win took over.
Take over from somebody
To start having control of something, in place of somebody else
Susan is taking over from Anna as manager.
it UPON oneself
Accept responsibility for something
He took it upon himself to show the guests around.
someone THROUGH something
To explain something to someone
Let me take you through the instructions for the exam.
TO
To like something/somebody
It was only the teacher’s first class but the students really took to him.
Start doing something often
She’s taken to drinking green tea every morning.
UP
Something
Spend time doing something regularly (e.g. a hobby)
She took up swimming and started going twice a week
Take somebody up on something
Say yes to an invitation or offer
I can show you round London if you like. – I’ll take you up on that (offer)!
BACK
Take something back
Return something to the place you bought it
The dress was too tight so I took it back to the shop.
Take someone back
To regain possession of
I took back my jacket from Sarah.
Takes you back
Allow someone to come back/return
He cheated on her but she finally took him back.
When it comes to food, ‘take out’ and ‘take away’ both mean the same thing – to buy food from a restaurant and eat it somewhere else. But ‘take away’ is more common in the UK and ‘take out’ more common in the US.
IN
Take somebody in
Allow someone to stay in your house/country
He had nowhere to go so she took him in.
Take something in
To pay attention to, understand something
t was a very good speech and I took it all in.
OFF
Imitate/impersonate somebody
She takes off her mother so well.
Take something off
To remove a piece of clothing
t was hot in the room so he took off his jumper.
AWAY
To buy food from a restaurant and eat it elsewhere
We ordered Chinese food to take away
Take away from something
To get a piece of information or message from something
What I took away from that film is that neither side wins in a war.
Take someone away
To reduce the positive effect of something
The drunken fight after the party took away from the celebration.
OUT
Take something out
Remove something from its place
took out my wallet from my bag.
Buy food from a restaurant and eat it elsewhere
Do you want that to eat in or take out?
Take someone out
Go somewhere with someone, you usually invite them and pay
David took his girlfriend out for dinner.
Take it out of you
Something that requires a lot of effort and makes you tired
The journey to work this morning was a nightmare! It really took it out of me.
Take something out on someone
To treat someone badly because you feel upset or angry
Sorry, I was very upset yesterday and I took it out on you.