take on

Meaning

In a business context, to "take on" means to accept new responsibilities, projects, or tasks, or to hire new employees. It can also mean to confront a competitor or handle a difficult challenge. It is a highly versatile and neutral phrasal verb used daily in professional environments.

Examples

• I'm already struggling with my current workload, so I can't take on any new projects right now.

  I'm already struggling with my current workload, so I can't take on any new projects right now.

• Our company is expanding rapidly and plans to take on twenty new developers this quarter.

  Our company is expanding rapidly and plans to take on twenty new developers this quarter.

• She was hesitant to take on the role of team lead, but she is doing an excellent job.

  She was hesitant to take on the role of team lead, but she is doing an excellent job.

• We are ready to take on our biggest competitor in the European market next year.

  We are ready to take on our biggest competitor in the European market next year.

• Before you take on additional clients, make sure you have the administrative support you need.

  Before you take on additional clients, make sure you have the administrative support you need.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I decided to take on with the new assignment.

  ✓ I decided to take on the new assignment.

  "Take on" is a transitive phrasal verb. Do not insert the preposition "with" between the verb and its direct object.

• ✗ We need to take on new employees for help us.

  ✓ We need to take on new employees to help us.

  Use an infinitive verb ("to help") to express purpose after the object of "take on," rather than "for" followed by a base verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Are you sure you want to ___ more work when you're already so busy?

  💡 To accept a new task or responsibility.

  Show answer

  take on

• The startup is growing so fast that they need to ___ more customer support staff.

  💡 To hire or employ.

  Show answer

  take on