Definition
To begin to have or exhibit.
To assume or take responsibility for.
To attempt to fight, compete with, or engage with.
To grieve or be concerned (about something or someone).
In Context
- "In the dark, the teddy bear took on the appearance of a fearsome monster."
- "I'll take on the project if no one else will."
- "This type of marriage was always fraught with divorce because in most cases the old creditor, instead of allowing one of his male children to marry the girl, would take her on himself. For the fact that flirting was a serious taboo within the society, the girl would bolt away[…]."
- "She was 78, I think, and if there was only one customer, she’d take him on sometimes."
- "I don't recommend taking on that bully, since he's bigger than you are."
- "“I’ll bet, despite the fact that the Tenhausens picked you as a soul-mate for June Atterman, that if Beth Hillyer took of[f] her clothes and shook herself at you, you’d point right in the air and be ready to take her on.”"
- "I don't find that sexy. I tell her to take her time and try to be friends and work her way in. Then I might see something nice in her and take her on."
- "I'll be interested to see how this service does. It will be basic with fares to match, so will be akin to a budget airline taking on a flag-carrier."
- "But I am one of those that never take on about princely fortunes, and am quite content if the world is ready to board and lodge me, while I am putting up at this grim sign of the Thunder Cloud."
- "So she hung crying, lopsided and ludicrous on the seat of the buggy […]. People passing looked at her and wondered why she was taking on. There was something almost obscene about a strong, healthy woman blubbering in the sunlight in that public place."