Phrasal verbs with TAKE are among the most common and also the most confusing expressions in English. The verb take combines with different particles to create meanings related to movement, responsibility, emotions, removal, acceptance, and change. Because many of these phrasal verbs have multiple meanings, learners often mix them up with idioms or use them in the wrong context.
In this lesson, you’ll learn a clear, corrected, and carefully organized list of common phrasal verbs with TAKE. Each phrasal verb includes pronunciation, accurate meanings, natural examples, grammar notes, and synonyms to help you use them confidently in real-life English.
List of Common Phrasal Verbs with TAKE
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Take aback
Take after
Take against
Take apart
Take aside
Take away
Take away from
Take back
Take down
Take for
Take in
Take it away
Take it out on
Take it upon oneself
Take off
Take on
Take out
Take over
Take pity on
Take to
Take up
Take up with
Take through
Take into account
Phrasal Verbs with TAKE: Meaning and Examples
Take aback
/teɪk əˈbæk/transitiveinseparable
📖 To surprise or shock someone
The sudden news took me aback.
🔄 Synonyms:surpriseshock
Take after
/teɪk ˈɑːftə(r)/transitiveinseparable
📖 To resemble a family member
She really takes after her father.
🔄 Synonyms:resemblebe like
Take against
/teɪk əˈɡenst/transitiveinseparable
📖 To develop a dislike for someone
He took against his new boss immediately.
🔄 Synonyms:dislikeobject to
Take apart
/teɪk əˈpɑːt/transitiveseparable
📖 To separate something into pieces
The technician took apart the device.
🔄 Synonyms:disassembledismantle
Take aside
/teɪk əˈsaɪd/transitiveseparable
📖 To speak to someone privately
The manager took her aside after the meeting.
🔄 Synonyms:pull asidespeak privately
The first five phrasal verbs with take introduce core meanings: emotional response, family resemblance, personal feelings, physical action, and private communication. These entries establish how “take” extends beyond its basic meaning in different contexts.
Take away
/teɪk əˈweɪ/transitiveseparable
📖 To remove something or make someone leave
The waiter took away the empty plates.
🔄 Synonyms:removecarry off
Take away from
/teɪk əˈweɪ frɒm/transitiveinseparable
📖 To reduce the quality or importance of something
Noise can take away from concentration.
🔄 Synonyms:detract fromreduce
Take back
/teɪk bæk/transitiveseparable
📖 To admit something was wrong or accept someone back
I take back what I said earlier.
🔄 Synonyms:retractaccept again
Take down
/teɪk daʊn/transitiveseparable
📖 To remove or write something down
Please take down these notes.
🔄 Synonyms:removewrite down
Take for
/teɪk fɔːr/transitiveinseparable
📖 To consider or mistake someone for something
I took him for a tourist.
🔄 Synonyms:considermistake for
The second group includes both separable and inseparable verbs, focusing on removal, retraction, documentation, and mistaken identity.
Take in
/teɪk ɪn/transitiveseparable
📖 1To understand something
It took time to take in the news.
📖 2To make clothes smaller
She took in the dress to fit better.
🔄 Synonyms:understandalter
Take it away
/teɪk ɪt əˈweɪ/fixed-expression
📖 Used to invite someone to begin
Take it away, everyone is listening.
🔄 Synonyms:beginstart
Take it out on
/teɪk ɪt aʊt ɒn/transitiveinseparable
📖 To direct anger at the wrong person
Don’t take it out on me.
🔄 Synonyms:blamevent on
Take it upon oneself
/teɪk ɪt əˈpɒn wʌnˈself/reflexiveinseparable
📖 To accept responsibility voluntarily
She took it upon herself to help.
🔄 Synonyms:volunteerassume responsibility
Take off
/teɪk ɒf/transitive-intransitive
📖 1To remove something
He took off his jacket.
📖 2To leave the ground (plane)
The plane took off on time.
📖 3To become successful
Her business really took off.
🔄 Synonyms:removerise
Entries eleven through fifteen showcase complex structures and meanings, including emotional expression, responsibility, and success.
Take on
/teɪk ɒn/transitiveinseparable
📖 To accept responsibility or a challenge
He took on a new role.
🔄 Synonyms:acceptconfront
Take out
/teɪk aʊt/transitiveseparable
📖 To remove something or invite someone out
He took her out for dinner.
🔄 Synonyms:removeinvite
Take over
/teɪk ˈəʊvə(r)/transitiveinseparable
📖 To gain control
She will take over the project.
🔄 Synonyms:assume control
Take pity on
/teɪk ˈpɪti ɒn/transitiveinseparable
📖 To feel sympathy
She took pity on the stray dog.
🔄 Synonyms:sympathizefeel sorry for
Take to
/teɪk tuː/transitiveinseparable
📖 To like or become accustomed to something
He quickly took to the job.
🔄 Synonyms:likebecome accustomed to
The third set focuses on responsibility, control, and emotional response in everyday situations.
Take up
/teɪk ʌp/transitiveseparable
📖 To start an activity or occupy space
She took up yoga.
🔄 Synonyms:beginstartoccupy
Take up with
/teɪk ʌp wɪð/transitiveinseparable
📖 To form a relationship
He took up with new friends.
🔄 Synonyms:associate withform relationship
Take through
/teɪk θruː/transitiveinseparable
📖 To explain step by step
She took me through the process.
🔄 Synonyms:explainguide
Take into account
/teɪk ˈɪntuː əˈkaʊnt/transitiveinseparable
📖 To consider something carefully
You must take into account the cost.
🔄 Synonyms:consideraccount for
Common Mistakes with Phrasal Verbs with TAKE
Learners often confuse similar phrasal verbs with TAKE. Here are three common mistakes and how to correct them:
❌ Wrong“She took the news in slowly.” (Awkward word order)
✅ Correct“She took in the news slowly.” (Correct — proper particle placement)
❌ Wrong“Don’t take it out your anger on me.” (Incorrect preposition)
✅ Correct“Don’t take it out on me.” OR “Don’t take out your anger on me.” (Correct — “take it out on” is the phrasal verb; the other construction uses different grammar)
❌ Wrong“He took my advice for it.” (Wrong particle)
✅ Correct“He took to my advice quickly.” (Correct — “take to” means “like” or “become accustomed to”)
Key Grammar Notes
Dialogue Examples with Phrasal Verbs with TAKE
💬 Workplace and Hobby Conversations
A
You look stressed. What’s going on?
B
I’ve taken on too many responsibilities lately.
A
Why don’t you ask for help?
B
I probably should. I can’t keep taking it all upon myself.
