Phrasal verb
take over
To take control of something or begin to be responsible for it.
Meanings
to take control or responsibility for a job, task, or situation, often from someone else
to gain control of a company or organization, especially by buying it
to become the strongest influence or feeling so that it controls someone’s behavior
Definition
“Take over” means to start controlling or managing a job, task, organization, or situation. It often happens when one person replaces another or when one group gains control. It can also describe a feeling or force becoming so strong that it controls someone’s actions.
Examples
- I’ll take over the meeting while my manager is out.
- Can you take over the grill for a minute while I wash my hands?
- She took over as team lead after Carlos moved to another project.
- They took over the small café and redecorated it in a simple style.
Common mistake
Learners often say “take up” instead of “take over” when they mean replacing someone and becoming responsible for something.
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.