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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