Phrasal verb
take over
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
To take control of something or begin to be responsible for it.
“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.