Phrasal verb
take on
Meanings
to accept or start doing a task, role, or responsibility
to employ someone or add someone to a team
to challenge someone and try to defeat them in a competition or conflict
Definition
To take on means to accept or start doing a task, role, or responsibility.
To take on often means to accept responsibility for something, such as a job, project, or duty. It can also mean to employ someone or to decide to fight or compete against a person or group. The meaning is usually clear from the object and context after the verb.
Examples
- I can’t take on any more work this week.
- She decided to take on the role of team leader.
- They took on two new interns for the summer.
- He’s ready to take on the defending champion tonight.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse take on (accept/undertake) with take up (start a hobby or use space/time).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.