Explanations of several “take” phrasal verbs, with a printable worksheet.
“Take” Phrasal Verbs – Definitions
take after: to look like, act like, or follow the example of someone (usually a parent or older relative)
- Chris loves traveling around the world. He takes after his father, who was an airline pilot.
- Everyone says I take after my mother because I enjoy helping others.
take (someone) aside: to talk to someone alone, away from other people
- My boss took me aside after the meeting and told me he really liked my proposal.
- The two boys were fighting in class, so the teacher took them aside after class and made them apologize to each other.
take down: to take notes in a meeting, class, etc.
- Every Sunday, the minister says the names of people who are sick or having a hard time. My mother always brings a pen so she can take down their names and pray for them later.
- I made sure to take down the professor’s instructions so that I wouldn’t forget the assignment.
take it out on (someone): to yell at or express all of your anger at a single person (even if they might not deserve all of the blame)
- Gary was angry at his boss, and when he got home he took it out on his wife.
- Later, Gary apologized to his wife. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. I was just really angry about what my boss said to me.”
take (x) over: to take control of a company or task from someone else
- The new employee doesn’t know how to handle this project, so I’m going to have to take it over.
- I’m too tired to keep driving. Can you take over for awhile so I can get some rest?
take up: to fill time or space
- We need to get rid of this sofa. It takes up too much space in our small apartment!
- I don’t want to see that long movie today. It will take up the entire afternoon!
“Take” Phrasal Verbs – Worksheet
Fill in the blanks with the correct words to complete these “take” phrasal verbs.
1. Terry: Stop yelling at me! I know you’re angry that you lost your job, but you don’t have to yell at me!
Melissa: You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ______ it ______ ______ you.
2. My brother can’t afford his car payments, so I’m going to ______ _______ his lease.
3. I don’t want to start playing video games because I know that if I start, they will ______ ______ my entire day and night, and I won’t get anything done!
4. After he proposed to his girlfriend, John ______ me ______ and asked if I would be his best man at the wedding.
5. Bill and his brothers all joined the army after graduating from high school. They all ______ ______ their father, who was a respected general in the army before he retired.
6. It is the secretary’s job to ______ _______ the boss’s instructions and assist him whenever he needs help.
7. My brothers and I are planning to ______ ______ our father’s company after he retires. He has been very successful, so we will have very high expectations to live up to.
8. I don’t want to buy that painting. It’s too big! It will ______ ______ the entire wall in our living room!
