take over

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to assume control, responsibility, or leadership of something, such as a project, a job role, or an entire company. It can refer to a smooth transition of duties or a more competitive action, like one business acquiring another.

Examples

• When the manager retired, Sarah was asked to take over the department.

  When the manager retired, Sarah was asked to take over the department.

• Could you take over this project while I am away on parental leave?

  Could you take over this project while I am away on parental leave?

• A larger tech firm is planning to take over our competitor next month.

  A larger tech firm is planning to take over our competitor next month.

• He will take over as CEO starting from the first of January.

  He will take over as CEO starting from the first of January.

• I'll take over the presentation from here if your microphone is acting up.

  I'll take over the presentation from here if your microphone is acting up.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She took over of the project last week.

  ✓ She took over the project last week.

  'Take over' is a transitive phrasal verb and does not require the preposition 'of' before its direct object.

• ✗ He will take over the role as manager.

  ✓ He will take over as manager.

  You either 'take over a role' or 'take over as [job title]'. Combining them into 'take over the role as' is redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After the merger, the parent company will ___ all operations.

  💡 Assume control or responsibility.

  Show answer

  take over

• Who is going to ___ as team lead when Mark leaves?

  💡 Assume a role or position.

  Show answer

  take over