take breath —(also: take a breath) 1. pause to rest after exertion (to allow one’s breathing to return to normal): Halfway up the mountain we stopped to take breath. 2. take a break from one’s normal routine (in order to do smth. different): After the frenetic activity of the last four years, we need to take […]
Take air vs Take the air
take air— 1. go out for a walk; go out of doors: Guests went out to garden, later also brothers Werners went outside to take air. 2. (Ski jumping ) launch oneself into the air when skiing down a steep slope: I watch the guys take air and I say, “All right, I’m going to […]
Take after someone vs Take off after someone
take after someone— 1. resemble a parent or ancestor in character or appearance: I take after my mother in looks, but people say I’ve got my father’s character. 2. set out in pursuit of a person: Victoria, enraged, ends up in the path of a bucket of water and takes after the brutish men with […]
Take advantage of someone vs Take someone at advantage
take advantage of someone—outwit a person, especially unfairly; make undue use of an advantage: “You have brought me here under false pretences,” I cried. “You have taken cowardly advantage of me.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have the advantage of someone—(also: have an advantage over someone) have a better […]
Take account of something vs Take an account of something
take account of something—(also: take something into account) take smth. into consideration (when making a decision): Approval procedures should take account of the scientific quality of the project and the experience of the researcher. take an account of something—estimate how many there are of smth.: Immediately upon hearing of the circumstance of the robbery, I […]
Take a turn vs Take turns
take a turn— 1. go for a short walk or ride: It was such a nice day that we decided to take a turn through the park. 2. do one’s share; engage in a short period of activity: There was no wind so … each took a turn at operating the boat under engine power. […]
Take a toll of vs Take a toll on
take a toll of—cause a high number of casualties: The landmines took a toll of several thousand civilian lives. take a toll on—have a very serious effect on a person: The walking was beginning to take a toll on all of us.
Take a stand on something vs Take the stand on something
take a stand on something —(also: take one’s stand on something) adopt a firm position concerning smth.: He sent a selection of newspaper pieces to the authorities with the request that they take a stand on the matter. take the stand on something—vouch for smth.; stand surety for smth.: She is generally believed to be […]
Take a sleigh ride vs Take someone for a sleigh ride
take a sleigh ride—(Drug users) take cocaine (also: go for a sleigh ride): Ernie left the room briefly to take a sleigh ride. take someone for a sleigh ride —(coll.) mislead smb. deliberately; deceive or swindle a person (also: take someone for a ride): Purchasing from a familiar retailer can reduce the risk of being […]
Take a shine to someone vs Take the shine out of someone
take a shine to someone—(coll.) take a fancy to a person; develop a liking for smb.: I suppose I oughtn’t to blame you if Marion’s taken a shine to you. You must have a way with women. take the shine out of someone—(coll.) deprive smb. of his supremacy; surpass a person (also: take the shine […]
Take a seat vs Take one’s seat
take a seat—sit down; seat oneself: I took a seat in the back row where I hoped my person and my note taking would go unnoticed. take one’s seat— 1. sit down in one’s allocated or chosen seat: Archbishop Elder entered the sanctuary and took his seat at the altar. 2. (UK) assume one’s membership […]
Take a place vs Take one’s place
take a place— 1. occupy a proper or natural place: The chemical element Germanium appears to take a place between anti mony and bismuth. 2. seat oneself: Dvorah took a place in the back of the courtroom, where she quietly recited scripture. 3. take up a job in a certain capacity: He condescended to take […]