{v. phr.} To surprise greatly; impress very
much; leave speechless with surprise or wonder or delight; astonish. •/The
sunset is so beautiful it takes our breath away./ •/His refusal was so
unexpected it took my breath away./ Compare: CATCH ONE’S BREATH(1).
[take one’s death of]
See: CATCH ONE’S DEATH OF.
[take one’s leave]
or [take leave of]{v. phr.}, {formal} To
say good-bye and leave. •/He stayed on after most of the guests had taken
their leave./ •/The messenger bowed and took leave of the queen./ — [leave-taking]{n.} The end of school in June is a time of
leave-taking.
[take one’s life in one’s hands]
{v. phr.} To face great danger or take
great risk. •/Driving that car with those worn tires would be taking your
life in your hands./ •/He took his life in his hands when he tried to
capture the wild horse./
[take one’s measure]
or [take the measure of]{v. phr.} To judge
the character, quality, or nature of; try to guess about something — how hard
or easy, dangerous or safe, good or bad, etc. •/The boxers sparred for a
while taking each other’s measure./ •/John took the measure of the cliff
before he climbed it./ Compare: SIZE UP.
[take one’s medicine]
{v. phr.} To accept punishment without
complaining. •/The boy said he was sorry he broke the window and was ready to
take his medicine./ Compare: FACE THE MUSIC(2).
[take one’s name in vain]
{v. phr.} 1. To call upon (God) as a witness
to your truth or honesty when you are lying; swear by (God) untruthfully.
•/You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain./ 2.
{informal} To talk about a person or mention his name. •/"Did I hear
someone taking my name in vain?" asked Bill as he joined his friends./
[take one’s time]
{v. phr.} To avoid haste; act in an unhurried way.
•/He liked to take his time over breakfast./ •/It is better to take your
time at this job than to hurry and make mistakes./
[take one’s word]
{v. phr.} To believe one’s promise. •/Herb took
Eric’s word when he promised to pay up his debt./
[take on faith]
{v. phr.} To lend credence to something due to one’s
confidence in the source, rather than based on evidence. •/One should never
take on faith what one hears about Washington politics./
[take on oneself]
or [take upon oneself]{v. phr.} 1. To accept as
a duty or responsibility. •/He took it on himself to see that the packages
were delivered./ 2. To assume wrongfully or without permission as a right or
privilege. •/You should not have taken it upon yourself to accept the
invitation for the whole family./
[take one wrong]
See: GET ONE WRONG.
[take on the chin]
{v. phr.} To gracefully accept criticism. •/It’s
good to be able to tell people what they do wrong, but it is equally important
to be able to take it on the chin when they tell you what you have done
wrong./
[take out]
{v. phr.} 1. To ask for and fill in. •/Mary and John took
out a marriage license./ 2. To begin to run. •/When the window broke, the
boys took out in all directions./ •/When the wind blew the man’s hat off,
Charlie took out after it./ See: TAKE IT OUT ON.