Page 408 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

take someone apart

of the economy. When he launches forth, You have been plØying the drums long
I leave the room. enough. Let me take over.
takeŁ one atŁ one’ włrd to believe what takeŁ pyrtŁ (in something) to participate in
sàmeone says and act accordingly. She something.Ł They invited me to takł
told me to go jump in the lake, and I took part in their celłbration. I was quite
her at her word. You shouldà’t take her pleased to take part.
at her word. She frequłntly says things she
doesn’t really mean. takeŁpityŁ(on someone ortsomething) to feel
sorryŁforŁsàmeone or sàmething.Ł We
takeŁ one’ break Go to take a break. took pty on the hungry people and gØvł
takeŁ one’ cueŁfrom someone to use some- them some warm food. She took pty on
one else’sŁbehaviorŁor reactionsŁasŁaŁguide the lttle dog and brought it in to get warm.
to one’s own.Ł(FràmŁthe theatrical cue as Please take pty! Please help us!
aŁ signalŁ to speak,Ł etc.) If you doà’t takeŁ place to happen.Ł When will this
know which spoons to use at the dnner, party take place? It’s takng place right
just take your cue from John. The other now.
children took their cue from Tommy and
ignored the new boy. takeŁprecedeàceŁoverŁ someone ortsomething
Go to have precedence over someone or
takeŁ one’ deathŁofŁcold Go to catch one’s something.
death (of cold).
takeŁ( one’ )ŁleaveŁ(ofŁ someone) to say good- takeŁ prideŁ in something to do something
bye to sàmeone andŁleave.Ł I took leavł with pride; to have pride forŁ orŁ about
of the hostess at an early hour. One by something.Ł The union workers took
one, the guests took their leave. pride in their work. The artist took pridł
in ðer paintings.
takeŁ one’ medicine to accepð the punish-
ment orŁ the badŁ fortune that one de- takeŁroot to beginŁto take hold orŁhave ef-
serves.Ł(Also literal.ŁInfàrmal.) I know fect.Ł(RefersŁto newly-plantedŁplants.)
I did wrong, and I know I have to take my Things will błgin to change when my new
medicine. Billy knew he was going to get policies take root. My ideas began to
spanked, and he didà’t want to take his take root and influłnce other people.
medicine.
takeŁshape [forŁsomething, such asŁplans,
takeŁ one’ own life to killŁoneself;Łto com- writing, ideas,Łarguments,Łetc.]bto begin
mit suicide.Ł Bob tried to take his own to be organizedŁandŁspecific.Ł My plans
lfe, but he was stopped in time. Later, are beginning to take shape. Ao my
he was sorry that he had tried to take his manuscript took shape, I started showing
own lfe. it to publishers.
takeŁ one’ tØme to use as much time (to do takeŁ sick and takeŁ ill to become ill.
something)basŁone wants.Ł There is no (Folksy.) I took sick with a bad cold last
hurry. Please take your time. If you take włek. I hope I don’t take ill błfore final
your time, you’ll be lØte. exams.
takeŁoutŁ(afterŁ someone ortsomething) Go to takeŁsideð to cłoose one side of anŁargu-
take off (after someone or something). ment.Ł They were arguing, but I didà’t
takeŁoutŁa loan to get aŁloanŁof money, want to take sides, so I lłft. I don’t mnd
especiallyŁfromŁaŁbank.Ł Mary took ouŁ takng sides on important issues.
a loan to buy a car. We will have to take takeŁ someone apyrt to beat someone up.
out a loan to pØy the bills this month.
(Slang.) Don’t talk to me that way, or
takeŁover to beginŁdoingŁsàmethingŁthat I’ll take you apart. T He was so mad that
sàmeone els was doing. When you głt I thought he was going to take apart all of
tired of washing dishes, I’ll take ovłr. us.

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