take care of

Meaning

This expression has two primary meanings: to look after someone or something (like a pet or child), or to handle/resolve a task or problem. It is extremely common in both personal life and at work. The tone is helpful, responsible, and neutral.

Examples

• Could you please take care of my plants while I'm away on vacation?

  Could you please take care of my plants while I'm away on vacation?

• Don't worry about the bill; I will take care of it.

  Don't worry about the bill; I will take care of it.

• She had to stay home to take care of her sick younger brother.

  She had to stay home to take care of her sick younger brother.

• Our administrative assistant takes care of all the travel bookings.

  Our administrative assistant takes care of all the travel bookings.

• You need to take care of yourself and get some rest.

  You need to take care of yourself and get some rest.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will take care the dog.

  ✓ I will take care of the dog.

  Always use the preposition 'of' after 'take care' when specifying the object.

• ✗ Don't worry, I will care of this task.

  ✓ Don't worry, I will take care of this task.

  Do not omit the verb 'take' from this fixed three-word idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Who is going to ___ the dog while we are at work?

  💡 look after

  Show answer

  take care of

• I have already ___ the flight reservations for our trip.

  💡 use the past participle form

  Show answer

  taken care of