Take on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈteɪk/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

TAYK-ahn or TAYK-awn

UK

tˈeɪk/ /ˈɒn

TAYK-on

Definition

To accept a job, responsibility, task, or challenge. It can also mean to face someone in a competition or conflict.

Usage & Nuances

'Take on' is common in both formal and informal speech. Collocates with 'new responsibility', 'challenge', 'task', and 'opponent'. Be careful not to confuse with 'take in' or 'take over', which have different meanings.

• Spanish: asumir - enfrentarse a - aceptar (responsabilidad/trabajo)
• Portuguese (BR): assumir - enfrentar - aceitar (responsabilidade/trabalho)
• Portuguese (PT): assumir - enfrentar - aceitar (responsabilidade/trabalho)
• Chinese (Simplified): 承担 - 接受 (任务/责任) - 挑战
• Chinese (Traditional): 承擔 - 接受 (任務/責任) - 挑戰
• Hindi: स्वीकार करना (जिम्मेदारी/कार्य) - मुकाबला करना
• Arabic: يتولى - يواجه - يقبل (مسؤولية/مهمة)
• Bengali: গ্রহণ করা - মোকাবিলা করা
• Russian: взяться (за что-то) - принять (на себя) - вступить в борьбу (с кем-то)
• Japanese: 引き受ける - 受け持つ - 立ち向かう
• Vietnamese: đảm nhận - nhận (nhiệm vụ) - đối đầu
• Korean: 맡다 - 받아들이다 - 맞서다
• Turkish: üstlenmek - kabul etmek - karşılaşmak
• Urdu: ذمہ داری لینا - مقابلہ کرنا
• Indonesian: mengambil (tugas/tanggung jawab) - menghadapi (lawan/tantangan)

Example Sentences

She will take on a new project at work.

basic

Are you ready to take on this challenge?

basic

We cannot take on more work right now.

basic

He was eager to take on extra responsibilities to prove himself.

natural

The small team decided to take on a much larger competitor.

natural

You shouldn't take on more than you can handle.

natural