OpenSynonym

take on

/teɪk ɒn/

PHRASAL VERB

1. Assuming responsibility or undertaking a task

To accept responsibility, work, a duty, or an obligation and agree to deal with it.

1.1. Accepting responsibility or a duty

Used when someone agrees to accept responsibility for a role, task, obligation, or assignment.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • She decided to take on the responsibility of managing the new department.
  • The team has taken on several challenging projects this year.

Related Words

1.2. Agreeing to face a challenge or difficult task

Used when someone willingly accepts a demanding challenge or attempts something that requires considerable effort or determination.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The climbers were ready to take on the difficult mountain expedition.
  • Our company is prepared to take on the challenge of entering a new market.

Related Words

PHRASAL VERB

2. Confronting or competing against an opponent

To confront, challenge, fight, or compete against another person, team, or opposing force.

2.1. Facing an opponent in a contest or competition

Used when someone competes against or challenges another person or team in a sporting event, contest, or other competitive situation.

Synonyms

  • challenge
  • face
  • compete against
  • confront
  • go up against
  • vie with
  • contend with

Antonyms

  • avoid
  • withdraw from
  • surrender to
  • yield to

Examples

  • The defending champions will take on their strongest rivals in the final.
  • The young boxer is eager to take on the reigning champion.

Related Words

2.2. Confronting or standing up to someone

Used when someone directly challenges another person, resists their behavior, or refuses to be intimidated by them.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • submit to
  • yield to
  • obey
  • back down from

Examples

  • She was determined to take on the manager over his unfair treatment of the staff.
  • Few employees were willing to take on the powerful executive.

Related Words

2.3. Attempting to get past an opposing player

In sports, especially football (soccer), used when a player tries to beat or dribble past an opponent who is defending against them.

Synonyms

  • dribble past
  • beat
  • go past
  • get past
  • challenge

Antonyms

  • pass to a teammate
  • avoid
  • retreat from

Examples

  • The winger took on two defenders before crossing the ball.
  • He has the speed and skill to take on opposing players one-on-one.

Related Words

PHRASAL VERB

3. Hiring or recruiting someone

To employ or engage a person to work for an organization, usually in exchange for payment.

3.1. Employing new staff

Used when a company, organization, or individual hires someone to perform a job or provide professional services.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The company plans to take on twenty new employees next year.
  • The restaurant is taking on extra staff ahead of the holiday season.

Related Words

PHRASAL VERB

4. Acquiring or developing a characteristic

To begin to have, display, or develop a particular quality, appearance, form, color, or character.

4.1. Developing a new appearance or quality

Used when a person, object, or situation begins to display a particular characteristic, quality, or appearance.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The old building has taken on a new appearance after the renovation.
  • His voice took on a more serious tone during the announcement.
  • The sky took on a deep orange color as the sun began to set.

Related Words

4.2. Absorbing or incorporating something

Used when a material, substance, or system absorbs or incorporates another substance or element into itself.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • The fabric takes on moisture quickly in humid conditions.
  • The soil takes on nutrients from the decomposing organic matter.

Related Words

PHRASAL VERB

5. Becoming popular or successful

To begin attracting attention, gaining acceptance, or achieving success after being introduced or developed.

5.1. Gaining popularity or acceptance

Used when an idea, trend, product, or activity begins to attract widespread interest or becomes increasingly popular.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • lose popularity
  • fall out of favor
  • decline
  • fade
  • become unpopular

Examples

  • The new fashion trend began to take on among younger consumers.
  • The idea gradually took on as more people recognized its benefits.

Related Words

PHRASAL VERB

6. Showing concern or becoming emotionally affected

To become emotionally involved in or affected by something, especially by feeling concern, worry, or distress about it.

6.1. Becoming worried or emotionally concerned

Used especially in the expression take on about something, meaning to become worried, upset, or emotionally burdened by a situation.

Synonyms

  • worry
  • become concerned
  • get upset
  • be troubled
  • feel distressed

Antonyms

  • remain calm
  • stay unconcerned
  • take in stride
  • dismiss

Examples

  • Don't take on so much about things that are beyond your control.
  • She tends to take on emotionally when her friends are going through difficult times.

Related Words

  • anxiety
  • concern
  • distress
  • emotional burden
  • worry