take wing— 1. (of birds) rise into the air; start flying: The bird is remarkably swift on foot, and, though averse to flight, capable of great speed when compelled to take wing. 2. (coll.) disappear; vanish: I found a fellow who was in the same regiment with him, and knew this Mrs. Glasher before she […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Take up the baton vs Take up the cudgel
take up the baton— 1. conduct an orchestra: Although when Barenboim first took up the baton there were some pianists who occasionally conducted, it was generally frowned upon. 2. take control or responsibility for smth.: Initial tests showed a decrease in noise levels…. The researchers then took up the baton to develop a solution to […]
Take to one’s feet vs Take to one’s legs
take to one’s feet— 1. (of an audience) rise to applaud, etc.: That’s when the audience got in the act and took to their feet to applaud. 2. go on foot; walk: As buses and trams were abandoned or stood in long lines at blockades, the residents of Belgrade took to their feet. take to […]
Take time off vs Take time out
take time off—remain away from work, study, etc. for a period of time (because one is unwell, etc.): I occasionally take time off to hike in the mountains and ski. take time out—take a break from one’s normal routine of studying or working (in order to do smth. different): I usually take time out during […]
Take the wind vs Take wind
take the wind —(sl.) take one’s leave; make a hasty retreat (also: take the breeze): I took the wind just as soon as I could get over the wall and get out of here. take wind—(of a rumor, etc.) become known (also: take air): The preparations for Margaret’s flight had not been conducted so secretly […]
Take the water vs Take the waters
take the water— 1. (of an animal) enter a lake, river, etc. and begin to swim: I heard a splash and saw a deer take the water 300 yards or so above me. 2. (of a ship) be launched: The ship took the water beautifully, the strains of the band mingling with the cheers of […]
Take the time vs Take time
take the time—use a certain amount of one’s time for an activity: I dislike to take the time to study out laboriously these things which are mostly well known to botanists. take time— 1. require time; extend over a relatively long period: It was merely a matter of shock to the nerve centers. Such a […]
Take the road vs Take to the road
take the road—follow a particular route: We stayed high and took the road that followed the contours of the mountainside. take to the road— 1. set out; get on the way: I got back in the van, finished my ice cream and then took to the road. 2. = take the road: Jonathan Butts in […]
Take the heat for something vs Take the heat off something
take the heat for something—(coll.) take the blame for smth.; endure severe criticism: We took the heat for oversleeping and missing our flight when we landed. take the heat off something—(also: take the heat out of something) 1. stop people criticizing or attacking smth.: The conference was designed to take the heat off his failure […]
Take stock in something vs Take stock of something
take stock in something—have faith in smth.; attach importance to smth.: She always tends to exaggerate, so if I were you, I wouldn’t take any stock in what she says. take stock of something—evaluate smth.; consider smth. carefully: In starting out to look for work, a man should take stock of his particular training and […]
Take someone into care vs Take someone into one’s care
take someone into care—take a child lacking proper supervision, etc. to an institution run by the government or local council: The little boy’s parents couldn’t look after him, so he has been taken into care. take someone into one’s care—assume the care of a person; attend to smb.’s needs: I consider it a privilege to […]
Take someone away vs Take someone off
take someone away—take smb. to another place; lead a person away: The prisoner was taken away by an armed guard. take someone off— 1. = take someone away: Before long the young prisoner was taken off for questioning. 2. rescue a person from a sinking ship: Before the ship sank, all the passengers were safely […]