What is the definition of a phrasal verb?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of two or more words that construct an entirely different phrase. They contain a verb with an adverb or a preposition and the meanings of them are usually unrelated to the phrasal verb itself.

Merriam-Webster defines phrasal verb as:

“a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.”

For instance, the phrasal verb “get around” means to travel to many different places. With that being said, if you separate “get” and “around”, the verb and adverb will mean completely different things.

Most common adverbs that are used to create phrasal verbs are:

  • up
  • down
  • in
  • on
  • off
  • away
  • over

Today, we will be discussing only phrasal verbs with take, but you can also check out our breakdown of phrasal verbs with get to expand your vocabulary further.

20 take phrasal verbs with examples

Learning what take phrasal verbs mean and how to use them correctly in a conversation could greatly improve your language skills. As well as create an appearance of a more native and confident English speaker.

Here are 20 take phrasal verbs that we are going to be focusing on today:

We will be giving you a definition on every one of these phrasal verbs. Additionally, we put example sentences under each to give you a better understanding of the context.

Be sure to practice these verbs out loud as it helps memorize new words and meaning faster!

Take phrasal verbs

#1 Take aback

To surprise or shock someone when they weren’t expecting. Usually, this phrasal verb is used as (to be) taken aback.

Example:

  • He proposed to her, but was taken aback by her reaction.
  • Great debaters can take aback their opponent with unexpected arguments.

#2 Take away

To remove or subtract from something from someone, so that they no longer have it.

Example:

  • I’m going to take away your toys if you don’t clean up your room.
  • Nobody will take away what’s rightfully mine.
  • In some cases, to take away also means reducing the value of something or someone.

Example:

  • This hideous door takes away from the entire design.

#3 Take after

To resemble someone in your family by characteristics, appearance, mannerisms, etc.

Example:

  • He took his blue eyes after his father.
  • Jenny surely took after her mom, they look identical.

#4 Take against

To begin to dislike someone, sometimes for no good reason.

Example:

  • Her co-workers took against her after she got a promotion.
  • You can’t take against our teacher, he’s great.

#5 Take apart

To break something down into multiple parts.

Example:

  • He had to take apart his car to figure out what was causing a strange noise.
  • I’m going to bring my laptop to a maintenance service, so they can take it apart.

Take apart meaning

#6 Take aside

To take someone away from a person or people they are with in order to speak to them privately.

Example:

  • I had to take him aside and explain what he did wrong.
  • John, can I take you aside for a moment?

#7 Take back

To return something back after borrowing or buying it.

Example:

  • I bought a new pair of pants, but they’re too small, so I will take them back.
  • Can I borrow your skirt? I will take it back in two days.
  • It can also mean to withdraw your statement after realizing it was wrong.

Example:

  • Alright, I take back my words about your lasagna.

#8 Take over

To take control of something while someone else was doing it before.

Example:

  • Honey, will you take over in the kitchen while I answer the phone?
  • Social media took over traditional news years ago.

#9 Take down

To remove something from a high place, like a top shelf.

Example:

  • It’s time to take down Christmas decorations, it’s March already.
  • Can you take down that jar of peanut butter from the shelf?

To take someone down means to defeat or stop someone from causing harm.

Example:

  • The police raid took down seven criminals last night.

#10 Take off

To remove something, usually in the context of clothes. It can also mean to reduce the price as a discount.

Example:

  • I asked him to take his shoes off when entering a house.
  • Just today, we took 10 percent off every purchase for every fifth client.
  • Another meaning of taking off is to quickly rise from a place and move to another.

Example:

  • After our discussion he took off so fast that I couldn’t even say goodbye to him.

#11 Take for

To prematurely assume something, usually about someone.

Example:

  • When we first met, I took you for a foreigner.
  • What do you take me for?

Take off meaning

#12 Take to

To start liking someone or something.

Example:

  • I’m starting to take to your sister.
  • She took to horseback riding like she was born to do so.

#13 Take up

To start doing something habitually.

Example:

  • I took up winemaking as a hobby, but now it’s my job.

#14 Take on

To accept a job or assume some kind of responsibility.

Example:

  • I can’t take on any more projects, because I’m already busy.
  • They made him a great offer and he’s going to take it on.

#15 Take in

To allow someone to stay in your house.

Example:

  • Joe had to sell his house, so I took him in since he had nowhere to stay.
  • I will take you in, but just for a couple of days.

#16 Take out

To withdraw something from its place indefinitely.

Example:

  • I had my wisdom teeth taken on yesterday.
  • To take someone out means inviting them to a date or to go eat at a restaurant.

Example:

  • I want to take Mary out to dinner.

Interestingly, the word “takeout” means ordering food from a restaurant to eat at home.

#17 Take through

To explain in detail to someone how a certain thing or job is meant to be done.

Example:

  • On her first day I had to take her through the onboarding process.
  • I asked my coach to take me through our training program.

#18 Take it out (on)

To cause someone harm or make them feel bad because of your own misfortunes. Usually, people take it out on somebody that isn’t at fault.

Example:

  • Just because you had a bad day it doesn’t mean you should take it out on me.
  • How are you going to get married if you keep taking it out on each other?

#19 Take it upon (oneself)

Similar to take on, taking something upon yourself means to assume responsibility for something even if you weren’t asked to do it.

Example:

  • He took it upon himself to organize the party.
  • I had to take this project upon myself since no one could finish it.

#20 Take up (on)

To accept an offer or an invitation.

Example:

  • I will take up on his offer to join the swimming team.
  • She offered to babysit, so I had to take her up on it.

Take up meaning

Summarizing phrasal verbs with take

There are many ways for non-native English speakers to learn how to make their speech sound more natural. Studying phrasal verbs is one of them, since there are a lot of verbs that can be turned into phrases with a new meaning. You can check out our guide to phrasal verbs with put to see many useful combinations.

Learning all phrasal verbs with take is not a one day exercise, especially considering how many versions of this phrasal verb exist. However, as you practice incorporating these phrases into your speech, you will memorize them faster.

In this article, we looked at 20 take phrasal verbs, explaining what each of them means and how to use them in a sentence. Be sure to come back to this article as you learn new phrasal verbs.