Undertake vs. Take — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
"Undertake" means to commit to or start something significant, often a project, while "take" means to seize, grasp, or carry out a task or action.
Difference Between Undertake and Take
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Key Differences
"Undertake" conveys a strong sense of commitment and responsibility, usually implying that the action is challenging or significant. "Take," on the other hand, is more neutral and versatile, referring to carrying out or obtaining something.
When you "undertake" a task, you accept its challenges and consequences, usually planning for a long-term engagement. "Take" denotes a broader range of actions, whether simply grasping an object or assuming responsibility in a less formal way.
"Undertake" implies a proactive choice to engage in a project or task with seriousness and dedication, often involving risk or significant effort. "Take," however, can mean to begin or carry out an action, like "take a break," which requires less commitment.
"Undertake" tends to focus on large tasks, such as "undertake a project," whereas "take" can apply to smaller actions like "take a photo" or "take a note," which are less comprehensive in scope.
While "undertake" is often followed by "to," as in "undertake to complete the project," "take" is used with various prepositions like "on," "off," or "up," expanding its range of meanings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Commit to or start a significant task
Seize, grasp, or carry out an action
Scope
Projects or challenging tasks
Actions from simple to complex
Formality
More formal and intentional
Less formal, broad in application
Prepositions
Usually followed by "to"
Follows various prepositions
Synonyms
Assume, embark on
Grasp, obtain, capture
Compare with Definitions
Undertake
To attempt or engage in something.
They plan to undertake a detailed study of the ecosystem.
Take
To acquire or obtain.
Can you take some time off for vacation?
Undertake
To commit to or start something challenging.
He decided to undertake the leadership of the committee.
Take
To seize or grasp something.
She decided to take the offered promotion.
Undertake
To guarantee or promise to do something.
The company will undertake to deliver by next week.
Take
To consume or ingest.
I take vitamins every morning.
Undertake
To take responsibility for a project.
The manager undertook the task with enthusiasm.
Take
To conduct or carry out an action.
Please take a photo of the group.
Undertake
To begin work on a significant activity.
They will undertake renovations next month.
Take
To assume a role or responsibility.
He will take over the sales department next quarter.
Undertake
To deliberately begin to do (something)
Undertake a task.
Take
A take is a single continuous recorded performance. The term is used in film and music to denote and track the stages of production.
Undertake
To pledge or commit oneself (to do something)
Undertake to care for an elderly relative.
Take
Lay hold of (something) with one's hands; reach for and hold
He leaned forward to take her hand
Undertake
To promise or guarantee
"The man undertook that one room at least should be ready for occupation the next day" (Thomas Hardy).
Take
Remove (someone or something) from a particular place
The police took him away
He took an envelope from his inside pocket
Undertake
To make oneself responsible. Used with for.
Take
Carry or bring with one; convey
I took him a letter
He took along a portfolio of his drawings
The drive takes you through some wonderful scenery
Undertake
(transitive) To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).
Take
Accept or receive (someone or something)
They don't take children
She was advised to take any job offered
Undertake
(intransitive) To commit oneself (to an obligation, activity etc.).
He undertook to exercise more in future.
Take
Consume as food, drink, medicine, or drugs
Take an aspirin and lie down
Undertake
To pass a slower moving vehicle on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.
Take
Make, undertake, or perform (an action or task)
Lucy took a deep breath
The key decisions are still to be taken
Undertake
To pledge; to assert, assure; to dare say.
Take
Require or use up (a specified amount of time)
It takes me about a quarter of an hour to walk to work
The jury took an hour and a half to find McPherson guilty
Undertake
To take by trickery; to trap, to seize upon.
Take
(of a plant or seed) take root or begin to grow; germinate
The fuchsia cuttings had taken and were looking good
Undertake
(obsolete) To assume, as a character; to take on.
Take
Have or require as part of the appropriate construction
Verbs which take both the infinitive and the finite clause as their object
Undertake
(obsolete) To engage with; to attack, take on in a fight.
Take
A scene or sequence of sound or vision photographed or recorded continuously at one time
He completed a particularly difficult scene in two takes
Undertake
(obsolete) To have knowledge of; to hear.
Take
An amount of something gained or acquired from one source or in one session
The take from commodity taxation
Undertake
(obsolete) To have or take charge of.
Take
An amount of copy set up at one time or by one compositor.
Undertake
The passing of slower traffic on the curbside rather than on the side closest to oncoming traffic.
Take
To grasp or grip
Take your partner's hand.
Undertake
To take upon one's self; to engage in; to enter upon; to take in hand; to begin to perform; to set about; to attempt.
To second, or oppose, or undertakeThe perilous attempt.
Take
To capture physically; seize
Take an enemy fortress.
Undertake
Specifically, to take upon one's self solemnly or expressly; to lay one's self under obligation, or to enter into stipulations, to perform or to execute; to covenant; to contract.
I 'll undertake to land them on our coast.
Take
To seize with authority or legal right
The town took the land by eminent domain.
Undertake
Hence, to guarantee; to promise; to affirm.
And he was not right fat, I undertake.
And those two counties I will undertakeYour grace shall well and quietly enjoiy.
I dare undertake they will not lose their labor.
Take
To get possession of (fish or game, for example) by capturing or killing.
Undertake
To assume, as a character.
Take
(Sports) To catch or receive (a ball or puck)
The player took the pass on the fly.
Undertake
To engage with; to attack.
It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offense to.
Take
Sports & Games To acquire in a game or competition; win
Took the crown in horse racing.
Undertake
To have knowledge of; to hear.
Take
Sports & Games To defeat
Our team took the visitors three to one.
Undertake
To take or have the charge of.
Keep well those that ye undertake.
Take
To remove with the hands or an instrument
I took the dishes from the sink. The dentist took two molars.
Undertake
To take upon one's self, or assume, any business, duty, or province.
O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
Take
To cause to die; kill or destroy
The blight took these tomatoes.
Undertake
To venture; to hazard.
It is the cowish terror of his spiritThat dare not undertake.
Take
To subtract
If you take 10 from 30, you get 20.
Undertake
To give a promise or guarantee; to be surety.
But on mine honor dare I undertakeFor good lord Titus' innocence in all.
Take
To exact
The storm took its toll.
Undertake
Enter upon an activity or enterprise
Take
To deal a blow to; strike or hit
The boxer took his opponent a sharp jab to the ribs.
Undertake
Accept as a challenge;
I'll tackle this difficult task
Take
To delight or captivate
She was taken by the puppy.
Undertake
Promise to do or accomplish;
Guarantee to free the prisoners
Take
To catch or affect with a particular action
Your remark took me by surprise.
Undertake
Enter into a contractual arrangement
Take
To carry in one's possession
Don't forget to take your umbrella. See Usage Note at bring.
Undertake
Accept as a charge
Take
To convey by transportation
This bus will take you to Dallas.
Take
To lead or cause to go along to another place
The guide took us to the waterfall.
Take
To be as a path or course for; provide a way for
The trail takes you to the lake.
Take
To put (food or drink, for example) into the body; eat or drink
Took a little soup for dinner.
Take
To draw in; inhale
Took a deep breath.
Take
To expose one's body to (healthful or pleasurable treatment, for example)
Take the sun.
Take the waters at a spa.
Take
To move into or assume occupancy of
She took a seat by the fireplace. The team took the field.
Take
To choose for one's own use; avail oneself of the use of
We took a room in the cheaper hotel.
Take
To require the use of (something)
It takes money to live in this town. This camera takes 35-millimeter film.
Take
To use or require (time)
It only takes a few minutes to wash the car.
Take
To use (something) as a means of conveyance or transportation
Take a train to Pittsburgh.
Take
To use (something) as a means of safety or refuge
Take shelter from the storm.
Take
To choose and then adopt (a particular route or direction) while on foot or while operating a vehicle
Take a right at the next corner. I downshifted to take the corner.
Take
To undertake, make, or perform
Take a walk.
Take a decision.
Take
To perceive or become aware of by one of the senses
Took a quick look at the sky.
Took a smell of the spices.
Take
To commit and apply oneself to the study of
Take art lessons.
Take Spanish.
Take
To study for with success
Took a degree in law.
Take
To accept (something owed, offered, or given) either reluctantly or willingly
Take a bribe.
Take
To allow to come in; give access or admission to; admit
The boat took a lot of water but remained afloat.
Take
To provide room for; accommodate
We can't take more than 100 guests.
Take
To become saturated or impregnated with (dye, for example).
Take
To submit to (something inflicted); undergo or suffer
Didn't take his punishment well.
Take
To put up with; endure or tolerate
I've had about all I can take from them.
Take
To receive into a particular relation or association, as into one's care or keeping
They plan to take a new partner into the firm. We took the dog for a week.
Take
To assume for oneself
Take all the credit.
Take
To agree to undertake or engage in (a task or duty, for example)
She took the position of chair of the committee.
Take
(Baseball) To refrain from swinging at (a pitched ball).
Take
To be affected with; catch
The child took the flu.
Take
To be hit or penetrated by
Took a lot of punches.
Took a bullet in the leg.
Take
To withstand
The dam took the heavy flood waters.
Take
To require or have as a fitting or proper accompaniment
Transitive verbs take a direct object.
Take
To accept as true; believe
I'll take your word that he's telling the truth.
Take
To impose upon oneself; subject oneself to
Take a vow.
Take
To follow or adhere to (advice or a suggestion, for example).
Take
To accept or adopt as one's own
Take a stand on an issue.
Take an interest in local history.
Take
To regard or consider in a particular relation or from a particular viewpoint
We must take the bitter with the sweet. Take the matter as settled.
Take
To understand or interpret
May I take your smile as an indication of approval?.
Take
To consider to be equal to; reckon
We take their number at 1,000.
Take
To perceive or feel; experience
I took a dislike to my neighbor's intrusions.
Take
To obtain from a source; derive or draw
This book takes its title from the Bible.
Take
To obtain, as through measurement or a specified procedure
Took the patient's temperature.
Take
To write or make a record of, especially in shorthand or cursive writing
Take a letter.
Take notes.
Take
To create (an image, likeness, or representation), as by photography
Took a picture of us.
Take
To include or distribute (a charge) in a financial record.
Take
(Informal) To swindle, defraud, or cheat
You've really been taken.
Take
To get something into one's possession; acquire possession
The invaders took and took, until they had everything.
Take
To accept or receive something
When it comes to advice, you take but you never give.
Take
To have the intended effect; operate or work
The skin graft took.
Take
To start growing; root or germinate
Have the seeds taken?.
Take
To engage or mesh; catch, as gears or other mechanical parts.
Take
To gain popularity or favor
The television series never took and was later canceled.
Take
(Regional) To begin or engage in an activity
He took and threw the money in the river.
Take
To become
He took sick.
Take
A quantity collected at one time, especially the amount of profit or receipts taken on a business venture or from ticket sales at a sporting event.
Take
The number of fish, game birds, or other animals killed or captured at one time.
Take
A scene filmed without interrupting the run of the camera.
Take
A recording made in a single session.
Take
A performer's reaction, especially to a specific situation or remark, as part of a comedy routine. Often used in combination
A double-take.
Take
A physical reaction, such as a rash, indicating a successful vaccination.
Take
A successful graft.
Take
An attempt or a try
He got the answer on the third take.
Take
An interpretation or assessment, as of an event
The mayor was asked for her take on the judge's decision.
Take
(transitive) To get into one's hands, possession, or control, with or without force.
They took Charlton's gun from his cold, dead hands.
I'll take that plate off the table.
Take
(transitive) To seize or capture.
Take the guards prisoner
Take prisoners
After a bloody battle, they were able to take the city.
Take
(transitive) To catch or get possession of (fish or game).
Took ten catfish in one afternoon
Take
To catch the ball; especially as a wicket-keeper and after the batsman has missed or edged it.
Take
(transitive) To appropriate or transfer into one's own possession, sometimes by physically carrying off.
Billy took her pencil.
Take
(transitive) To exact.
Take a toll
Take revenge
Take
(transitive) To capture or win (a piece or trick) in a game.
Took the next two tricks
Took Smith's rook
Take
(transitive) To receive or accept (something) (especially something given or bestowed, awarded, etc).
Took third place
Took bribes
The camera takes 35mm film.
Take
(transitive) To receive or accept (something) as payment or compensation.
The store doesn't take checks.
She wouldn't take any money for her help.
Do you take credit?
The vending machine only takes bills, it doesn't take coins.
Take
(transitive) To accept and follow (advice, etc).
Take my advice
Take
(transitive) To receive into some relationship.
Take a wife
The school only takes new students in the fall.
The therapist wouldn't take him as a client.
Take
To receive or acquire (property) by law (e.g. as an heir).
Take
(transitive) To remove.
Take two eggs from the carton
Take
(transitive) To remove or end by death; to kill.
The earthquake took many lives.
The plague took rich and poor alike.
Cancer took her life.
He took his life last night.
Take
(transitive) To subtract.
Take one from three and you are left with two.
Take
(vulgar) To admit (a penis or the penis of) into one’s bodily cavity.
Take
(transitive) To defeat (someone or something) in a fight.
Don't try to take that guy. He's bigger than you.
The woman guarding us looks like a professional, but I can take her!
Take
(transitive) To grasp or grip.
He took her hand in his.
Take
(transitive) To select or choose; to pick.
Take whichever bag you like.
She took the best men with her and left the rest to garrison the city.
I'll take the blue plates.
I'll take two sugars in my coffee, please.
Take
(transitive) To adopt (select) as one's own.
She took his side in every argument.
Take a stand on the important issues
Take
(transitive) To carry or lead (something or someone).
She took her sword with her everywhere she went.
I'll take the plate with me.
Take
To transport or carry; to convey to another place.
The next bus will take you to Metz.
I took him for a ride
I took him down to London.
Take
To lead (to a place); to serve as a means of reaching.
These stairs take you down to the basement.
Stone Street took us right past the store.
Take
(transitive) To pass (or attempt to pass) through or around.
She took the steps two or three at a time/
He took the curve / corner too fast.
The pony took every hedge and fence in its path.
Take
(transitive) To escort or conduct (a person).
He took her to lunch at the new restaurant, took her to the movies, and then took her home.
Take
(reflexive) To go.
Take
(transitive) To use as a means of transportation.
Take the ferry
I took a plane.
He took the bus to London, and then took a train to Manchester.
He's 96 but he still takes the stairs.
Take
(obsolete) To visit; to include in a course of travel.
Take
(transitive) To obtain for use by payment or lease.
She took a condo at the beach for the summer.
He took a full-page ad in the Times.
Take
(transitive) To obtain or receive regularly by (paid) subscription.
They took two magazines.
I used to take The Sunday Times.
Take
(transitive) To consume.
Take
(transitive) To receive (medicine) into one's body, e.g. by inhalation or swallowing; to ingest.
Take two of these and call me in the morning
Take the blue pill
I take aspirin every day to thin my blood.
Take
(transitive) To partake of (food or drink); to consume.
The general took dinner at seven o'clock.
Take
(transitive) To experience, undergo, or endure.
Take
(transitive) To undergo; to put oneself into, to be subjected to.
Take sun-baths
Take a shower
She made the decision to take chemotherapy.
Take
(transitive) To experience or feel.
She takes pride in her work.
I take offence at that.
To take a dislike
To take pleasure in his opponent's death
Take
(transitive) To submit to; to endure (without ill humor, resentment, or physical failure).
Took a pay cut
Take a joke
If you're in an abusive relationship, don't just sit and take it; you can get help.
The hull took a lot of punishment before it broke.
I can take the noise, but I can't take the smell.
That truck bed will only take two tons.
Take
(transitive) To suffer; to endure (a hardship or damage).
The ship took a direct hit and was destroyed.
Her career took a hit.
Take
(transitive) To participate in.
She took a vacation to France but spent the whole time feeling miserable that her husband couldn't be there with her.
Aren't you supposed to take your math final today?
Despite my misgivings, I decided to take a meeting with the Russian lawyer.
Take
(transitive) To cause to change to a specified state or condition.
He had to take it apart to fix it.
She took down her opponent in two minutes.
Take
(transitive) To regard in a specified way.
He took the news badly.
Take
(transitive) To conclude or form (a decision or an opinion) in the mind.
Took the decision to close its last remaining outlet
Took a dim view of city officials
Take
(transitive) To understand (especially in a specified way).
Don't take my comments as an insult.
If she took my meaning
Take
(transitive) To accept or be given (rightly or wrongly); assume (especially as if by right).
He took all the credit for the project, although he had done almost none of the work.
She took the blame, in the public's eyes, although the debacle was more her husband's fault than her own.
Take
(transitive) To believe, to accept the statements of.
Take her word for it
Take him at his word
Take
(transitive) To assume or suppose; to reckon; to regard or consider.
Take it from her comments she won't be there.
I took him to be a person of honor.
He was often taken to be a man of means.
Do you take me for a fool?
Do you take me to be stupid?
Looking at him as he came into the room, I took him for his father.
Take
(transitive) To draw, derive, or deduce (a meaning from something).
I'm not sure what moral to take from that story.
Take
(transitive) To derive (as a title); to obtain from a source.
"As I Lay Dying" takes its title from Book XI of Homer's "Odyssey"
Take
(transitive) To catch or contract (an illness, etc).
Took a chill
Take
(transitive) To come upon or catch (in a particular state or situation).
Take
(transitive) To captivate or charm; to gain or secure the interest or affection of.
Took her fancy
Took her attention
Take
To absorb or be impregnated by (dye, ink, etc); to be susceptible to being treated by (polish, etc).
Cloth that takes dye well
Paper that takes ink
The leather that takes a certain kind of polish
Take
To let in (water).
Take
(transitive) To require.
It takes a while to get used to the smell.
Looks like it's gonna take a taller person to get that down.
Finishing this on schedule will take a lot of overtime.
Take
(transitive) To proceed to fill.
He took a seat in the front row.
Take
(transitive) To fill, to use up (time or space).
Hunting that whale takes most of his free time.
His collection takes a lot of space.
The trip will take about ten minutes.
Take
(transitive) To avail oneself of.
He took that opportunity to leave France.
Take
(transitive) To practice; perform; execute; carry out; do.
Take a walk
Take action/steps/measures to fight drug abuse
Take a trip
Take aim
Take the tempo slowly
The kick is taken from where the foul occurred.
Pirès ran in to take the kick.
The throw-in is taken from the point where the ball crossed the touch-line.
Take
(transitive) To assume or perform (a form or role).
Take
(transitive) To assume (a form).
Took the form of a duck
Took shape
A god taking the likeness of a bird
Take
(transitive) To perform (a role).
Take the part of the villain/hero
Take
(transitive) To assume and undertake the duties of (a job, an office, etc).
Take office
Take the throne
Take
(transitive) To bind oneself by.
He took the oath of office last night
Take
(transitive) To move into.
The witness took the stand
The next team took the field
Take
(transitive) To go into, through, or along.
Go down two blocks and take the next left
Take the path of least resistance
Take
(transitive) To have and use one's recourse to.
Take cover/shelter/refuge
Take
(transitive) To ascertain or determine by measurement, examination or inquiry.
Take her pulse / temperature / blood pressure
Take a census
Take
(transitive) To write down; to get in, or as if in, writing.
He took a mental inventory of his supplies.
She took careful notes.
Take
(transitive) To make (a photograph, film, or other reproduction of something).
She took a video of their encounter.
Could you take a picture of us?
The police took his fingerprints.
Take
To take a picture, photograph, etc of (a person, scene, etc).
The photographer will take you sitting down.
To take a group/scene
Take
(transitive) To obtain money from, especially by swindling.
Took me for ten grand
Take
To apply oneself to the study of.
As a child, she took ballet.
I plan to take math, physics, literature and flower arrangement this semester.
Take
(transitive) To deal with.
Take matters as they arise
Take
(transitive) To consider in a particular way, or to consider as an example.
I've had a lot of problems recently: take last Monday, for example. My car broke down on the way to work. Then ... etc.
Take
To decline to swing at (a pitched ball); to refrain from hitting at, and allow to pass.
He'll probably take this one.
Take
(transitive) To accept as an input to a relation.
Take
To have to be used with (a certain grammatical form, etc).
This verb takes the dative; that verb takes the genitive.
Take
To accept (zero or more arguments).
The function takes two arguments, an array of size n and an integer k.
Take
(intransitive) To get or accept (something) into one's possession.
My husband and I have a dysfunctional marriage. He just takes and takes; he never gives.
Take
(intransitive) To engage, take hold or have effect.
Take
(Of ink; dye; etc.) To adhere or be absorbed properly.
The dye didn't take
Boiling pasta with a bit of the sauce in the water will help the sauce "take."
Take
To begin to grow after being grafted or planted; to take root, take hold.
Not all grafts take
I started some tomato seeds last spring, but they didn't take.
Take
To catch; to engage.
Take
To win acceptance, favor or favorable reception; to charm people.
Take
To have the intended effect.
Take
To become; to be affected in a specified way.
They took ill within 3 hours.
She took sick with the flu.
Take
To be able to be accurately or beautifully photographed.
Take
An intensifier.
Take
To deliver, bring, give (something) to (someone).
Take
To give or deliver (a blow, to someone); to strike or hit.
He took me a blow on the head.
Take
The or an act of taking.
Take
Something that is taken; a haul.
Take
Money that is taken in, (legal or illegal) proceeds, income; (in particular) profits.
He wants half of the take if he helps with the job.
The mayor is on the take.
Take
The or a quantity of fish, game animals or pelts, etc which have been taken at one time; catch.
Take
An interpretation or view, opinion or assessment; perspective; a statement expressing such a position.
What's your take on this issue, Fred?
Another unsolicited maths take: talking about quotients in terms of "equivalence classes" or cosets is really unnatural.
Take
An approach, a (distinct) treatment.
A new take on a traditional dish
Take
(film) A scene recorded (filmed) at one time, without an interruption or break; a recording of such a scene.
It's a take.
Act seven, scene three, take two.
Take
(music) A recording of a musical performance made during an uninterrupted single recording period.
Take
A visible (facial) response to something, especially something unexpected; a facial gesture in response to an event.
Did a double-take and then a triple-take
I did a take when I saw the new car in the driveway.
Take
(medicine) An instance of successful inoculation/vaccination.
Take
A catch of the ball (in cricket, especially one by the wicket-keeper).
Take
(printing) The quantity of copy given to a compositor at one time.
Take
Taken.
Take
In an active sense; To lay hold of; to seize with the hands, or otherwise; to grasp; to get into one's hold or possession; to procure; to seize and carry away; to convey.
Take
To obtain possession of by force or artifice; to get the custody or control of; to reduce into subjection to one's power or will; to capture; to seize; to make prisoner; as, to take an army, a city, or a ship; also, to come upon or befall; to fasten on; to attack; to seize; - said of a disease, misfortune, or the like.
This man was taken of the Jews.
Men in their loose, unguarded hours they take;Not that themselves are wise, but others weak.
They that come abroad after these showers are commonly taken with sickness.
There he blasts the tree and takes the cattleAnd makes milch kine yield blood.
Take
In a somewhat passive sense, to receive; to bear; to endure; to acknowledge; to accept.
Take
To gain or secure the interest or affection of; to captivate; to engage; to interest; to charm.
Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Cleombroutus was so taken with this prospect, that he had no patience.
I know not why, but there was a something in those half-seen features, - a charm in the very shadow that hung over their imagined beauty, - which took me more than all the outshining loveliness of her companions.
Take
To accept, as something offered; to receive; not to refuse or reject; to admit.
Ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer.
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore.
Take
To make a picture, photograph, or the like, of; as, to take a group or a scene.
Take
To make selection of; to choose; also, to turn to; to have recourse to; as, to take the road to the right.
Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
The violence of storming is the course which God is forced to take for the destroying . . . of sinners.
Take
To receive as something to be eaten or drunk; to partake of; to swallow; as, to take food or wine.
Take
To give or deliver (a blow to); to strike; hit; as, he took me in the face; he took me a blow on the head.
For now Troy's broad-wayed townHe shall take in.
The ancients took up experiments upon credit.
One of his relations took him up roundly.
Soon as the evening shades prevail,The moon takes up the wondrous tale.
Take
To employ; to use; to occupy; hence, to demand; to require; as, it takes so much cloth to make a coat; it takes five hours to get to Boston from New York by car.
This man always takes time . . . before he passes his judgments.
Take
Not to refuse or balk at; to undertake readily; to clear; as, to take a hedge or fence.
Take
To form a likeness of; to copy; to delineate; to picture; as, to take a picture of a person.
Beauty alone could beauty take so right.
Take
To bear without ill humor or resentment; to submit to; to tolerate; to endure; as, to take a joke; he will take an affront from no man.
Take
To draw; to deduce; to derive.
The firm belief of a future judgment is the most forcible motive to a good life, because taken from this consideration of the most lasting happiness and misery.
Take
To assume; to adopt; to acquire, as shape; to permit to one's self; to indulge or engage in; to yield to; to have or feel; to enjoy or experience, as rest, revenge, delight, shame; to form and adopt, as a resolution; - used in general senses, limited by a following complement, in many idiomatic phrases; as, to take a resolution; I take the liberty to say.
Take
To accept the word or offer of; to receive and accept; to bear; to submit to; to enter into agreement with; - used in general senses; as, to take a form or shape.
I take thee at thy word.
Yet thy moist clay is pliant to command; . . . Not take the mold.
Take
To lead; to conduct; as, to take a child to church.
Take
To carry; to convey; to deliver to another; to hand over; as, he took the book to the bindery; he took a dictionary with him.
He took me certain gold, I wot it well.
Take
To remove; to withdraw; to deduct; - with from; as, to take the breath from one; to take two from four.
Take
To take hold; to fix upon anything; to have the natural or intended effect; to accomplish a purpose; as, he was inoculated, but the virus did not take.
When flame taketh and openeth, it giveth a noise.
In impressions from mind to mind, the impression taketh, but is overcome . . . before it work any manifest effect.
Take
To please; to gain reception; to succeed.
Each wit may praise it for his own dear sake,And hint he writ it, if the thing should take.
Take
To move or direct the course; to resort; to betake one's self; to proceed; to go; - usually with to; as, the fox, being hard pressed, took to the hedge.
Take
To admit of being pictured, as in a photograph; as, his face does not take well.
Take
That which is taken, such as the quantity of fish captured at one haul or catch, or the amouont of money collected during one event; as, the box-office take.
Take
The quantity or copy given to a compositor at one time.
Take
The income arising from land or other property;
The average return was about 5%
Take
The act of photographing a scene or part of a scene without interruption
Take
Carry out;
Take action
Take steps
Take vengeance
Take
As of time or space;
It took three hours to get to work this morning
This event occupied a very short time
Take
Take somebody somewhere;
We lead him to our chief
Can you take me to the main entrance?
He conducted us to the palace
Take
Get into one's hands, take physically;
Take a cookie!
Can you take this bag, please
Take
Take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
His voice took on a sad tone
The story took a new turn
He adopted an air of superiority
She assumed strange manners
The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
Take
Interpret something in a certain way; convey a particular meaning or impression;
I read this address as a satire
How should I take this message?
You can't take credit for this!
Take
Take something or somebody with oneself somewhere;
Bring me the box from the other room
Take these letters to the boss
This brings me to the main point
Take
Take into one's possession;
We are taking an orphan from Romania
I'll take three salmon steaks
Take
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Take
Pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives;
Take any one of these cards
Choose a good husband for your daughter
She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her
Take
Travel or go by means of a certain kind of transportation, or a certain route;
He takes the bus to work
She takes Route 1 to Newark
Take
Receive willingly something given or offered;
The only girl who would have him was the miller's daughter
I won't have this dog in my house!
Please accept my present
Take
Assume, as of positions or roles;
She took the job as director of development
Take
Take into consideration for exemplifying purposes;
Take the case of China
Consider the following case
Take
Experience or feel or submit to;
Take a test
Take the plunge
Take
Make a film or photograph of something;
Take a scene
Shoot a movie
Take
Remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc. or remove something abstract;
Remove a threat
Remove a wrapper
Remove the dirty dishes from the table
Take the gun from your pocket
This machine withdraws heat from the environment
Take
Serve oneself to, or consume regularly;
Have another bowl of chicken soup!
I don't take sugar in my coffee
Take
Accept or undergo, often unwillingly;
We took a pay cut
Take
Make use of or accept for some purpose;
Take a risk
Take an opportunity
Take
Take by force;
Hitler took the Baltic Republics
The army took the fort on the hill
Take
Occupy or take on;
He assumes the lotus position
She took her seat on the stage
We took our seats in the orchestra
She took up her position behind the tree
Strike a pose
Take
Admit into a group or community;
Accept students for graduate study
We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
Take
Ascertain or determine by measuring, computing or take a reading from a dial;
Take a pulse
A reading was taken of the earth's tremors
Take
Be a student of a certain subject;
She is reading for the bar exam
Take
Take as an undesirable consequence of some event or state of affairs;
The accident claimed three lives
The hard work took its toll on her
Take
Head into a specified direction;
The escaped convict took to the hills
We made for the mountains
Take
Aim or direct at; as of blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment;
Please don't aim at your little brother!
He trained his gun on the burglar
Don't train your camera on the women
Take a swipe at one's opponent
Take
Be seized or affected in a specified way;
Take sick
Be taken drunk
Take
Have with oneself; have on one's person;
She always takes an umbrella
I always carry money
She packs a gun when she goes into the mountains
Take
Engage for service under a term of contract;
We took an apartment on a quiet street
Let's rent a car
Shall we take a guide in Rome?
Take
Receive or obtain by regular payment;
We take the Times every day
Take
Buy, select;
I'll take a pound of that sausage
Take
To get into a position of having, e.g., safety, comfort;
Take shelter from the storm
Take
Lay claim to; as of an idea;
She took credit for the whole idea
Take
Be designed to hold or take;
This surface will not take the dye
Take
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Take
Develop a habit;
He took to visiting bars
Take
Proceed along in a vehicle;
We drive the turnpike to work
Take
Obtain by winning;
Winner takes all
He took first prize
Take
Be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness;
He got AIDS
She came down with pneumonia
She took a chill
Common Curiosities
Is "undertake" more formal than "take"?
Yes, "undertake" is generally more formal and signifies a strong commitment, whereas "take" is used in more everyday contexts.
Is "undertake" limited to large projects only?
It's primarily used for significant, often long-term, tasks and responsibilities but can occasionally apply to less ambitious actions.
Can "undertake" be used in casual contexts?
Not typically. "Undertake" is usually reserved for tasks or projects requiring significant effort or planning.
Does "take" have more meanings than "undertake"?
Yes, "take" is broader in scope, covering actions like seizing, obtaining, assuming, or carrying out.
Can "take" indicate obtaining permission or acceptance?
Yes, "take" can mean receiving approval, as in "take leave" or "take permission."
Can "take" imply a formal commitment?
Yes, "take" can imply commitment in specific phrases like "take responsibility" or "take charge," but it's less formal than "undertake."
Can "undertake" be used with objects or things directly?
No, "undertake" usually pairs with tasks, responsibilities, or projects rather than physical objects.
Is "undertake" always associated with challenges?
Generally, "undertake" suggests some level of challenge or significant effort, often requiring planning and dedication.
Can "take" imply accepting responsibility?
Yes, "take" often implies assuming a duty or responsibility, as in "take on the role" or "take charge of a project."
Does "take" always imply physical action?
No, "take" can also refer to non-physical actions like "take advice" or "take a stand."
Does "undertake" have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms include "assume," "embark on," and "take on."
Can "take" replace "undertake"?
In some contexts, "take" can replace "undertake," but "undertake" implies a deeper commitment than "take."
Is "undertake" used differently in British vs. American English?
In British English, "undertake" also refers to overtaking a vehicle on its left side, which is not a common usage in American English.
Is "take" more idiomatic than "undertake"?
Yes, "take" is used in more idiomatic expressions, like "take it easy" or "take care."
Does "undertake" require the use of a preposition?
It is usually followed by "to," as in "undertake to complete."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
