take on oneself
take upon oneself
To accept as a duty or responsibility.
He took it on himself to see that the packages were delivered.
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 on the chin
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 on
To receive for carrying; be loaded with.
A big ship was at the dock taking on automobiles in crates to carry overseas for sale.
The bus driver stopped at the curb to take the woman on.
To begin to have (the look of); take (the appearance of).
Others joined the fistfight until it took on the look of a riot.
After the students put up Christmas decorations, the classroom took on a holiday appearance.
To give a job to; hire; employ.
The factory has opened and is beginning to take on new workers.
That factory is taking a lot of new employees on for its new production line.
To accept in business or a contest.
The big man took on two opponents at once.
After his father died, Bill took on the management of the factory.
We knew their football team was bigger and stronger, but we took them on anyway and beat them.
Would you be willing to take on the task of organizing the next company picnic?
To show great excitement, grief, or anger.
At the news of her husband's death she took on like a madwoman.
take one at one's word
To naively lend credence to what one tells one. To accept what one says as true, to believe.
It's a bad idea to take street vendors at their word in large, crowded cities.
When he offered to be responsible for the fund raiser, I took him at his word. Now he’s saying that he’s not available to do it.
You should be careful about taking her at her word. She’s been known to say one thing but to do another.
take one's breath away
To surprise greatly; impress very much; leave speechless with surprise or wonder or delight; astonish.
Устроить большой сюрприз; сильно удивить; поразить.
The sunset is so beautiful it takes our breath away.
His refusal was so unexpected it took my breath away.
You can take my breath away.
Ты можешь меня поразить.
take one's leave
take leave of
leave-taking
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.
The end of school in June is a time of leave-taking.
take one's life in one's hands
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
take the measure of
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.