Page 410 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary
P. 410

take something back


              into account when you plan the party. T  takeŁ someone’ pulse to measure the fre-
              I’ll try to take into account all the things  quency of the beatsŁof aŁprsàn’sŁpulse.Ł
              that are mportant n a situØtion like this.  I can take my own puloe.   The nurse took
                                                 my pulse and said I was fine.
            takeŁ someone ortsomething on to undertake to
              deal with sàmeone or something.    Mrs.  takeŁ someone to task to scold or rprimand
              Smth is such a problłm. I doà’t fłel likł  someone.Ł   The teacher took John to task
              takng her on just now.  T I’m too busy to  for his bad behavior.   I lost a big con-
              take on any new problłms.          tract, and the boss took me to task in front
                                                 of everyone.
            takeŁ someone ortsomething out 1. [with some-
              oàe ] to take sàmeone out on the townŁon  takeŁ someone to theŁcleyners to abuse or
              aŁdate.Ł(Also literal.)    I hear that Tom  damage sàmeone.Ł(Slang.)    There was a
              has błen takng Ann out.  T No, Tom has  real  rough  guy  there  who  threatened  to
              błen takng out Mary.  2. [with someone]  take me to the cleaners if I didà’t cooper-
              to remove someone who isŁactingŁasŁa  ate.   The crook said he’d take anybody
              barrier, especiallyŁinŁfootball.Ł(Infàrmal.)  who interfered to the cleaners.
                OkØy, Bill. Get in there and take the  takeŁ someone underŁ one’ wing(s) to take
              quarterback out. T Our plØyer ran fast  over and care forŁaŁprsàn.Ł    John was-
              and took out the opposing player błfore he  n’t doing włll in geomłtry until the teacher
              could tackle our runner. 3. [with someone]  took him undłr her wing.    I took the new
              to killŁsàmeone.Ł(CriminalŁslang.)     The  workers undłr my wings, and they learned
              thief who drove the car was afraid that the  the job in no time.
              other thieves were going to take him out,
              too. T The crooks took out the witness to  takeŁ someone upŁ on  something to take ad-
              the crime.                         vantage of someone’sŁofferŁof sàmething.
                                                 (Infàrmal.)    I’d like to take you up oà
            takeŁ someone ortsomething over to take charge  your  offer  to  help.  T We  took  up  the
              (of someone or something); to assume con-  Browns  on  their  invitation  to  come  to
              trol  of somon  or  somthing.     The  dnner.
              new manager will take the office over next  takeŁ something to endur somthing; to sur-
              włek.  T Will you please take over your  vive something. (Alsà literal.)    I doà’t
              children? I can’t seem to control them.
                                                 think I can take any more scoldng todØy.
            takeŁ someone ortsomething wrong to misun-  I’ve  been  in  trouble  since  I  got  up  this
              derstand  somon  or  somthing.      morning.   Mary was very insulŁing to
              Please don’t take me wrong, but I believł  Tom, but he can take it.
              that your socks don’t mØtch.    You’ll prob-  takeŁ something amiss and  takeŁ something
              ably take this wrong, but I have to say that  theŁ wrongŁ way to  understand  som-
              I’ve never seen you lookng błtter.  thingŁasŁwrongŁorŁinsulting.Ł(Compare
            takeŁ someone’ breathŁ away 1.  to  cause  this with take someone or something wrong.)
              sàmeone  to  be  out  of breath  due  to  a    Would you take it amiss if I told you I
              słockŁor hardŁexercise.Ł    Walking this  thought  you  look  lovely?    Why  would
              fast takes my breath away.   Mary fright-  anyone take such a nice complimłnt amiss?
              ened me and took my breath away. 2. to    I was afraid you’d take it the wrong wØy.
              overwhelm  somone  with  beauty  or  takeŁ something atŁ fyceŁ value  to  accepð
              grandeur.    The  magnificłnt  painting  sàmethingŁexactlyŁthe wayŁit appearsŁto
              took  my  breath  away.    Ann  looked  so  be.Ł   I don’t know whether I can take her
              beautiful that she took my breath away.  story at face value, but I will assume that
                                                 she is not lying.   The commttee took the
            takeŁ someone’ pyrt to take aŁside inŁanŁar-  report at face value and approved the sug-
              gument; to suppàrt sàmeone inŁan argu-  gested changes.
              ment.Ł   My sister took my mother’s part
              in the family argumłnt.    You are alwØys  takeŁ something byck to withdraw orŁcancel
              takng the part of underdog!        one’sŁ sðatement.Ł (Also  literal,Ł meaning

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