take a message

Meaning

This phrase is used when answering a phone call for someone who is currently unavailable. It means to write down or remember information from the caller so you can give it to the recipient later. It is a polite, standard convention in both personal and professional settings.

Examples

• She is in a meeting right now, but I can take a message for her.

  She is in a meeting right now, but I can take a message for her.

• If he calls back, could you please take a message?

  If he calls back, could you please take a message?

• I'm sorry, my roommate is out. Can I take a message?

  I'm sorry, my roommate is out. Can I take a message?

• The receptionist offered to take a message when I rang the office.

  The receptionist offered to take a message when I rang the office.

• No need to take a message; I'll just send him an email instead.

  No need to take a message; I'll just send him an email instead.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will make a message for him.

  ✓ I will take a message for him.

  Learners often translate literally from their native language and use 'make' instead of the idiomatic verb 'take' for writing down phone messages.

• ✗ Can you get a message to her?

  ✓ Can you take a message for her?

  'Get a message to someone' means to deliver a message to them, whereas 'take a message' is the act of receiving and writing down information from a caller.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Mr. Davis is out of the office. Can I ___?

  💡 Offer to write down the caller's details.

  Show answer

  take a message

• She wasn't there, but the secretary offered to ___.

  💡 Accept and record a note for the absent person.

  Show answer

  take a message