A plane may take off, a child may take after a parent, and a new manager may take over a department. Each expression begins with the verb take, but its meaning and grammar pattern change according to the particle, preposition, and object.
Some phrasal verbs with take are separable, which means an object may divide the verb and particle. Others must remain together. A few expressions also change their grammar pattern when their meaning changes.
The list below includes 22 common expressions with clear meanings, complete patterns, and original example sentences.
Quick List of Phrasal Verbs With Take
| Expression | Short meaning | Grammar pattern |
|---|---|---|
| take aback | surprise or shock | take somebody aback |
| take after | resemble a relative | take after somebody |
| take along | bring someone or something with you | take somebody or something along |
| take apart | separate into pieces | take something apart |
| take aside | speak to someone privately | take somebody aside |
| take away | remove something | take something away |
| take away from | reduce value or effect | take away from something |
| take back | return or retract | take something back |
| take down | remove or record | take something down |
| take for | mistake someone or something for another | take somebody or something for somebody or something |
| take in | understand, shelter, or deceive | take somebody or something in |
| take off | remove, leave the ground, or become successful | take something off / take off |
| take on | accept or challenge | take something or somebody on |
| take out | remove or accompany socially | take somebody or something out |
| take out on | direct a negative feeling at someone | take something out on somebody |
| take over | assume control or responsibility | take over / take something over |
| take over from | replace someone in a role | take over from somebody |
| take through | explain a process step by step | take somebody through something |
| take to | begin liking or doing something | take to somebody or something |
| take up | begin or occupy | take something up |
| take up on | accept an offer or invitation | take somebody up on something |
| take up with | begin associating with someone | take up with somebody |
How to Read the Grammar Patterns
The words somebody and something show where an object belongs.
For example:
take something apart
This pattern is separable. A noun object may go before or after the particle:
The engineer took the motor apart.
The engineer took apart the motor.
A personal pronoun must go between take and apart:
The engineer took it apart.
Incorrect: The engineer took apart it.
By contrast, an inseparable pattern stays together:
take after somebody
Correct: She takes after her aunt.
Incorrect: She takes her aunt after.
The pattern shown under each entry applies to the meaning explained in that section.
1. Take Aback
Pattern: take somebody aback
Type: Separable, commonly passive
Meaning: Surprise or shock someone.
The unexpected question took the entire panel aback.
This expression is especially common in the passive form:
I was taken aback by the sudden change in his attitude.
The phrase usually describes a strong reaction to something unexpected.
2. Take After
Pattern: take after somebody
Type: Inseparable
Meaning: Resemble an older relative in appearance, personality, habits, or ability.
Leila takes after her grandmother, who was also patient and quietly determined.
The object must be a person:
Correct: Leila takes after her grandmother.
Incorrect: Leila takes after her grandmother’s patience.
You may mention the shared quality after naming the person.
3. Take Along
Pattern: take somebody or something along
Type: Separable
Meaning: Bring someone or something with you when you go somewhere.
Please take your identification along to the appointment.
With a pronoun:
Please take it along.
A noun object may also follow the particle:
Please take along your identification.
The middle position is often more natural with short objects.
4. Take Apart
Pattern: take something apart
Type: Separable
Meaning: Separate something into its individual pieces.
The technician took the damaged pump apart to inspect the internal valve.
With a pronoun:
The technician took it apart.
This expression may also be used figuratively for examining or criticising an idea in great detail:
The reviewers took the argument apart.
5. Take Aside
Pattern: take somebody aside
Type: Separable
Meaning: Move someone away from a group so you can speak privately.
The coach took Ayaan aside after practice to discuss his progress.
A person is required in this pattern:
Incomplete: The coach took aside.
Correct: The coach took Ayaan aside.
With a pronoun:
The coach took him aside.
6. Take Away
Pattern: take something away
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Remove something from its current place.
The staff took the damaged chairs away before the hall opened.
A pronoun goes in the middle:
The staff took them away.
Another Common Meaning
Takeaway may also refer to the most important idea learned from an experience, discussion, or text.
My main takeaway from the workshop was that short instructions prevent confusion.
In this use, takeaway is a noun written as one word.
7. Take Away From
Pattern: take away from something
Type: Three-word, inseparable
Meaning: Reduce the quality, value, importance, or effect of something.
The unclear ending took away from an otherwise compelling story.
The expression stays together before its object:
Correct: The delay took away from the experience.
Incorrect: The delay took the experience away from.
Do not confuse this with take something away, which means remove it.
8. Take Back
Pattern: take something back
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Return Something
I took the faulty headphones back to the shop the following morning.
You may also say:
I took back the faulty headphones.
With a pronoun:
I took them back.
Meaning 2: Retract a Statement
I take my earlier comment back now that I understand the full situation.
In this meaning, the speaker admits that something previously said was wrong or unfair.
9. Take Down
Pattern: take something down
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Remove Something From a Higher Position
The caretaker took the notice down after the deadline passed.
Meaning 2: Write or Record Information
Mara took the reference number down before ending the call.
With a pronoun, use the middle position:
Take it down.
The context tells you whether the expression means remove or record.
10. Take For
Pattern: take somebody or something for somebody or something
Type: Fixed prepositional pattern
Meaning: Mistake or assume that a person or thing is someone or something else.
I took the visitor for the new regional manager.
Another common form is:
Do you take me for a fool?
Both sides of the comparison are important:
- the person or thing being judged
- the identity or quality assigned to them
The incomplete phrase take for does not show the full grammar pattern.
11. Take In
Pattern: take somebody or something in
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Understand or Absorb Information
It took several minutes to take the scale of the damage in.
The more common order with a long object is:
It took several minutes to take in the scale of the damage.
With a pronoun:
I could not take it in.
Meaning 2: Give Someone or an Animal Shelter
The family took an injured stray dog in during the storm.
Meaning 3: Deceive Someone
This meaning often appears in the passive:
Several customers were taken in by the fake advertisement.
The context determines whether take in means understand, shelter, or deceive.
12. Take Off
The grammar pattern changes according to the meaning.
Meaning 1: Remove Clothing or an Accessory
Pattern: take something off
Type: Separable
Nikhil took his muddy shoes off before entering the house.
With a pronoun:
Nikhil took them off.
Meaning 2: Leave the Ground
Pattern: take off
Type: Intransitive
The medical aircraft took off shortly after dawn.
There is no direct object in this use.
Meaning 3: Become Successful Quickly
Pattern: take off
Type: Intransitive
The small online course took off after a popular teacher recommended it.
This example shows why one phrasal verb should not receive one permanent grammar label for every meaning.
13. Take On
Pattern: take somebody or something on
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Accept Work or Responsibility
The design team took another complex project on despite its tight schedule.
The non-separated order is often smoother with a long object:
The design team took on another complex project.
Meaning 2: Challenge or Compete Against Someone
The local champion agreed to take on a younger opponent.
With a pronoun:
She agreed to take him on.
14. Take Out
Pattern: take somebody or something out
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Remove Something From a Place
Please take the empty containers out before the collection truck arrives.
Meaning 2: Accompany Someone Socially
Daniel took his parents out for dinner on their anniversary.
In this meaning, the person usually accompanies someone to a restaurant, performance, or other social activity.
Additional Use
You may also take out insurance, a loan, or a subscription:
The business took out additional insurance before expanding.
15. Take Something Out on Somebody
Pattern: take something out on somebody
Type: Three-part pattern
Meaning: Direct anger, frustration, or another negative feeling at someone who may not be responsible.
She took her frustration out on her brother after a difficult day.
The feeling belongs between take and out:
Natural: take your anger out on someone
Awkward: take out your anger on someone
With a pronoun:
Do not take it out on me.
16. Take Over
This expression may be transitive or intransitive.
Meaning 1: Assume Control or Responsibility
Pattern: take over
Type: Intransitive
A temporary director took over while the board searched for a permanent replacement.
Meaning 2: Gain Control of Something
Pattern: take something over
Type: Separable
The larger company took the regional supplier over after months of negotiation.
The non-separated order is usually more natural:
The larger company took over the regional supplier.
17. Take Over From
Pattern: take over from somebody
Type: Three-word, inseparable
Meaning: Replace a particular person in a role, position, or responsibility.
Meera will take over from the current editor at the end of August.
Compare:
Meera will take over in August.
This says she will assume responsibility.
Meera will take over from Arun in August.
This identifies the person she will replace.
18. Take Somebody Through Something
Pattern: take somebody through something
Type: Three-part pattern
Meaning: Explain, demonstrate, or guide someone through a process step by step.
The adviser took us through each section of the application before we submitted it.
The person comes after take, followed by the process or information being explained:
take me through the steps
take the staff through the procedure
Incorrect: take through me the steps
19. Take To
Pattern: take to somebody, something, or doing something
Type: Inseparable
Meaning 1: Begin Liking Someone or Something
The rescue cat quickly took to its new surroundings.
Meaning 2: Begin Doing Something Regularly
Ravi took to walking after dinner to clear his mind.
The word to is a preposition here. Follow it with a noun, pronoun, or -ing form:
Correct: took to painting
Incorrect: took to paint
20. Take Up
Pattern: take something up
Type: Separable
Meaning 1: Begin a Hobby or Activity
Hana took pottery up after attending a weekend workshop.
The non-separated order is often more natural:
Hana took up pottery.
Meaning 2: Occupy Time or Space
The storage cabinet takes up most of the narrow hallway.
In this meaning, the object normally follows the expression.
Meaning 3: Discuss or Pursue a Matter
The union plans to take the issue up with senior management.
21. Take Somebody Up on Something
Pattern: take somebody up on something
Type: Three-part pattern
Meaning: Accept someone’s offer, invitation, suggestion, or challenge.
I may take you up on your offer to review the contract.
The person appears after take, while the offer or proposal follows on:
take her up on the invitation
take them up on the suggestion
take you up on that
Do not omit the person:
Incomplete: I may take up on the offer.
Correct: I may take you up on the offer.
22. Take Up With
Pattern: take up with somebody
Type: Three-word, inseparable
Meaning: Begin spending time with or forming a relationship with someone.
His relatives became concerned when he took up with a group known for reckless behaviour.
This expression may carry a disapproving tone, suggesting that the new association is unwise or undesirable.
The person or group follows the complete expression.
Commonly Confused Phrasal Verbs With Take
Take Off vs. Take Out
Use take something off when removing clothing, shoes, accessories, or something attached to a surface.
She took her gloves off.
Use take something out when removing it from a place, container, or enclosed area.
She took the documents out of the folder.
Use take somebody out when accompanying that person socially.
She took her cousin out for lunch.
Take Up vs. Take On
Use take up when beginning a hobby, activity, or subject.
Omar took up cycling.
Use take on when accepting work, responsibility, or a challenge.
Omar took on a supervisory role.
The distinction is important because both expressions may involve beginning something new, but they take different types of objects.
Take After vs. Take To
Use take after somebody when you resemble that person.
Eva takes after her uncle.
Use take to somebody when you begin liking that person.
Eva took to her new neighbour immediately.
One expression describes similarity. The other describes a developing reaction.
Take Away vs. Take Away From
Use take something away when removing it.
The server took the unused plates away.
Use take away from something when reducing its quality, importance, or effect.
The constant noise took away from the atmosphere.
The added preposition from changes the structure and meaning.
Take Over vs. Take Over From
Use take over when assuming control or responsibility.
A new team took over in May.
Use take over from somebody when identifying the person being replaced.
A new team took over from the original organisers.
Take In vs. Be Taken In
Use take something in when understanding or absorbing information.
I needed time to take the announcement in.
Use be taken in by somebody or something when being deceived.
Several people were taken in by the false claim.
The passive structure is especially common in the deception meaning.
Grammar Patterns to Notice
Phrasal verbs with take follow several different structures.
| Pattern type | Example |
|---|---|
| Intransitive | take off |
| Separable | take something apart |
| Inseparable | take after somebody |
| Person in the middle | take somebody aside |
| Three-part pattern | take something out on somebody |
| Preposition followed by an -ing form | take to doing something |
Pronouns in Separable Expressions
A personal pronoun must go between the verb and particle.
Correct: Take it back.
Incorrect: Take back it.
Correct: Take them down.
Incorrect: Take down them.
Long Objects
A long object is often clearer after the particle:
The organisation took on responsibility for coordinating emergency accommodation across the region.
Placing the entire object between take and on would make the sentence harder to follow.
Meaning-Specific Patterns
The same expression may change structure when its meaning changes:
She took her jacket off.
The plane took off.
The first use is transitive and separable. The second is intransitive.
Forms of Phrasal Verbs With Take
The verb take is irregular.
| Verb form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base form | take over |
| Third-person singular | takes over |
| Simple past | took over |
| Past participle | taken over |
| Present participle | taking over |
Only the main verb changes. The particle or preposition remains the same.
take after
took after
has taken after
taking after
Common Verb-Form Error
Incorrect: The new company taked over last year.
Correct: The new company took over last year.
The simple past is took. The past participle is taken.
Related Expressions That Are Not Counted
Several expressions with take are often grouped with phrasal verbs, but they are better learned as fixed or idiomatic expressions.
| Expression | Meaning | Classification note |
|---|---|---|
| take something in stride | deal with a difficulty calmly | idiomatic expression |
| take somebody down a notch | reduce someone’s excessive confidence | idiomatic construction |
| take something for granted | fail to appreciate or question it | idiom |
| take care of somebody or something | look after or handle them | fixed expression |
These expressions are useful, but they are not counted among the 22 main entries.
Common Mistakes With Phrasal Verbs Using Take
1. Naming a Quality Instead of the Person After “Take After”
Incorrect: Arjun takes after his mother’s creativity.
Correct: Arjun takes after his mother, especially in his creativity.
The object of take after is the person being resembled.
2. Placing a Pronoun After a Separable Particle
Incorrect: The mechanic took apart it.
Correct: The mechanic took it apart.
Personal pronouns must divide separable expressions.
3. Omitting the Person From “Take Aside”
Incomplete: The supervisor took aside.
Correct: The supervisor took Neha aside.
The expression normally requires the person who is moved away for a private conversation.
4. Misordering “Take Something Out on Somebody”
Awkward: He took out his disappointment on the rest of the team.
Natural: He took his disappointment out on the rest of the team.
The feeling belongs between take and out.
5. Using an Infinitive After “Take To”
Incorrect: She took to read before bed.
Correct: She took to reading before bed.
The word to is a preposition in this expression, so it is followed by an -ing form when an action comes next.
6. Confusing “Take Up” With “Take On”
Use take up for an activity:
She took up swimming.
Use take on for responsibility or work:
She took on additional duties.
Less natural: She took up additional duties.
7. Treating Every Meaning of “Take Off” as Separable
The clothing meaning is separable:
Take the coat off.
Take it off.
The flight meaning is intransitive:
The aircraft took off.
There is no object to place between take and off.
8. Confusing “Take Over” With “Take Over From”
Tariq took over the department.
This identifies what he assumed control of.
Tariq took over from Laila.
This identifies the person he replaced.
Do not omit from when naming the previous person.
9. Using “Taked” Instead of “Took”
Incorrect: The assistant taked the decorations down.
Correct: The assistant took the decorations down.
The past tense of take is took.
10. Treating an Idiom as an Ordinary Phrasal Verb
Expressions such as take something in stride and take something for granted should be learned as complete idioms.
Do not try to apply the ordinary separability rules of take in or take for to these longer fixed expressions.
Are Phrasal Verbs With Take Formal or Informal?
Their level of formality depends on the individual expression and context.
These are common in everyday conversation:
- take to someone
- take somebody out
- take up a hobby
- take something back
Others appear naturally in workplace, academic, and professional writing:
- take on responsibility
- take over a company
- take in information
- take somebody through a procedure
- take up an issue with management
A single-word alternative may sometimes sound more formal:
| Phrasal verb | Possible alternative |
|---|---|
| take apart | disassemble |
| take away | remove |
| take back a statement | retract |
| take over | assume control |
| take somebody through | explain |
The alternatives are not automatically better. Choose the expression that fits the intended tone and meaning.
Final Point
Phrasal verbs with take should be learned as complete patterns rather than as a verb followed by a memorised definition.
Compare:
- take after somebody
- take something apart
- take somebody aside
- take something out on somebody
- take to doing something
- take somebody up on something
The pattern shows whether an object is required, where it belongs, and whether the expression may be separated. Learning those details will help you use each phrasal verb accurately.
FAQs About Phrasal Verbs With Take
What are some common phrasal verbs with “take”?
Common examples include take after, take apart, take away, take back, take down, take in, take off, take on, take out, take over, take to, and take up. Longer patterns include take something out on somebody and take somebody up on something.
What does “take after” mean?
Take after somebody means to resemble an older relative in appearance, personality, habits, or ability. The person follows the complete expression: She takes after her father.
Is “take off” separable?
It is separable when it means remove clothing or another item: take the jacket off or take it off. It is intransitive when it means leave the ground or become successful quickly: The plane took off.
What is the difference between “take up” and “take on”?
Take up often means begin a hobby or activity, or occupy time or space. Take on commonly means accept work, responsibility, or a challenge.
What does “take somebody aside” mean?
It means move someone away from other people so you can speak privately. The person belongs between the two words: The manager took her aside.
What is the past tense of “take over”?
The simple past is took over. The past participle is taken over. For example: The new owner took over in April and The business has been taken over.
What does “take somebody up on something” mean?
It means accept that person’s offer, invitation, suggestion, or challenge. For example: I may take you up on your offer to help.
Are phrasal verbs with “take” informal?
Some are conversational, while others are neutral and common in professional writing. Expressions such as take on responsibility, take over a business, and take somebody through a process are widely used in formal and workplace contexts.
The First English Grade Editorial Team creates simple English grammar, vocabulary, and language guides for students, beginners, and everyday learners.