take to task
To reprove or scold for a fault or error.
He took his wife to task for her foolish wastefulness.
The principal took Bill to task for breaking the window.
take to the cleaners
To win all the money another person has (as in poker).
Watch out if you play poker with Joe; he'll take you to the cleaners.
To cheat a person out of his money and possessions by means of a crooked business transaction or other means of dishonest conduct.
I'll never forgive myself for becoming associated with Joe; he took me to the cleaners.
take to the woods
To run away and hide.
When John saw the girls coming, he took to the woods.
Bob took to the woods so he would not have to mow the grass.
take to
To go to or into; get yourself quickly to. Often used in the imperative.
Take to the hills! The bandits are coming!
We took to the woods during the day so no one would see us.
Take to the boats! The ship is sinking.
We stopped at a hotel for the night but took to the road again the next morning.
To begin the work or job of; make a habit of.
He took to repairing watches in his spare time.
She took to knitting when she got older.
Grandfather took to smoking cigars when he was young and he still smokes them.
Uncle Willie took to drink while he was a sailor.
The cat took to jumping on the table at mealtime.
To learn easily; do well at.
Father tried to teach John to swim, but John didn't take to it.
Mary takes to mathematics like a duck takes to water.
To like at first meeting; be pleased by or attracted to; accept quickly.
Our dog always takes to children quickly.
Mary didn't take kindly to the new rule that her mother made of being home at 6 o'clock.
take turns
To do something one after another instead of doing it all at the same time. To alternate, to change people while doing something.
In class we should not talk all at the same time; we should take turns.
Jean and Beth took turns on the swing.
The two boys took turns at digging the hole.
The three men took turns driving so one would not be too tired.
During the trip, Darlene and I took turns driving so that neither of us would tire out.
I have to make sure that my two sons take turns playing the video game.
take up arms
To get ready to fight; fight or make war.
The people were quick to take up arms to defend their freedom.
The President called on people to take up arms against poverty.
take up the cudgels for
To come to the defense of; to support or fight for.
Выступать в защиту чего-л.; поддерживать или бороться за что-л.
He was the first to take up the cudgels for his friend.
Он был первым, кто выступил в защиту своего друга.
When injustice rears its ugly head, we must all take up the cudgels for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Когда несправедливость поднимает свою уродливую голову, мы все должны встать на защиту тех, кто не может бороться за себя сам.
In times of crisis, it's inspiring to see individuals take up the cudgels for their communities and champion the causes that matter most.
Во времена кризиса вдохновляет видеть, как люди берутся за дело своих сообществ и отстаивают самые важные дела.
take up with
To begin to go around with (someone); see a lot of.
Frank has taken up with Lucy lately.
To consult someone about an important matter.
The important matter follows the verb take, while the person consulted follows with.
The important matter follows the verb take, while the person consulted follows with.
Can I take the problem up with you right now? It’s quite urgent.
I can’t help you with this matter. You’ll have to take it up with the manager.