a situation where a small part is controlling the whole thing.
--> Why is such a small matter so important? It is a case where the tail is wagging the dog.
Take a back seat
to defer to someone; to give control to someone.
--> I decided to take a back seat to John and let him lead out.
--> He has done a good job for five years, but now it is time for him to take a back seat to someone else.
Take a break
to have a short rest period in one's work.
--> It's ten o'clock--time to take a break.
--> I usually take a break in the middle of the afternoon.
Take a chance
to try something where failure or bad fortune is likely.
--> Come on, take a chance. Ask her out on a date. See if she will accept.
Similar: Take a risk.
--> I take very few risks in my life.
--> There's a great risk in loving people that they will not love you in return.
--> I'll take the risk.
Take a dim view of (something)
to regard something skeptically or pessimistically.
--> My aunt takes a dim view of most things that young people do.
--> I take a dim view of most modern music.
--> I'm sure they take a dim view of my choice of clothes.
Take a look at (someone or something)
to look at; to examine something briefly.
--> Take a look at her shoes, aren't they jogging shoes?
--> I asked to doctor to take a look at my swollen ankle.
Similar: Have a look at.
--> Have a look at my car. I just bought it yesterday.
--> I had a look at the book yesterday. It wasn't really interesting.
Take a seat
to sit down.
--> Mrs. Johnson asked me to come in and take a seat at the back of the room.
--> Please take a seat.
Similar: Have a seat.
--> Have a seat. I should be able to help you in a few minutes.
Take a spill
to have a fall; to tip over. (Also used with bad, nasty, quite a, etc.)
--> Ann tripped on the curb and took a nasty spill.
--> Tonight on the dark sidewalk, I took quite a spill.
Similar: Have a spill.
--> Yesterday Bob had a bad spill on his bicycle.
Take a shot at
to give something a try; to try something. (Informal. Also can use have.)
--> I don't know whether I can eat a whole pizza, but I'll take a shot at it.
--> I'd like to take a shot at climbing that mountain.
Similar: Take a try at (something)
--> I can't make my computer work correctly. Would you like to take a try at it?
--> I'd like to take a try at riding your unicycle.
Take a stand (against someone or something)
to take a position; to oppose or resist someone or something.
--> I've always taken a stand against drinking alcoholic beverages.
--> I want it clearly known that I have taken a stand.
Take a stand (for someone or something)
to take a position; to support someone or something.
--> For thirty years I have taken a stand for daily exercise.
--> What do you stand for?
Take a turn for the better
to start to improve; to start to get well.
--> She has been sick for some time but now she has taken a turn for the better.
--> Things are taking a turn for the better at my store. I will make a profit this year.
Take a turn for the worse
to start to get worse.
--> The doctor was optimistic but yesterday she took a turn for the worse.
--> The economy of the nation has taken a turn for the worse.
--> International relations have taken a turn for the worse. Is world war imminent?
Take advantage of (someone)
to cheat or deceive someone.
--> Before you go buy something expensive, do your homework well, otherwise a salesman may take advantage of you.
--> He took advantage of my ignorance.
Take advantage of (someone or something)
to utilize someone or something for one's benefit.
--> Thank you for being willing to help. I will do my best to take advantage of this opportunity.
--> Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
Take after
to resemble a parent or close relative.
--> Her light hair and blue eyes seems to take after her mother.
--> Which of your parents to you take after?
--> I take after my father--kind of quiet.
Take another person at his/her word
to accept what he says is true and possibly act on his statement.
--> I don't trust him. I can't take him at his word.
--> I will take you at your word that the gift has no strings attached.
Take apart
to disassemble; to separate the different parts of an object or mechanism.
--> It is much easier to take a clock apart than to put it back together again.
--> I could never have taken it apart.
--> Let's take the car engine apart and see what's wrong.
Take (something) back
to return something.
--> When you are done using a tool, take it back to the garage.
--> The coat had a flaw so I took it back.
Similar: Bring back.
--> Tomorrow, I'll bring back all the books I have borrowed.
Take care of
to care for someone or something; to watch or give attention to someone or something.
--> I will be away from home for three days. Will you take care of my dog?
--> The doctor advised me to take better care of myself.
--> I will take care of the children this afternoon.
--> I have some pressing problems to take care of this afternoon.
