Lesson 325--go for a stroll

Two celebrities go for a stroll.

Sometimes we need time to think, or at least get away from everyone and take some time to think.  The following expressions include this idea.  Sometimes they are just meant to explain physical exercise, but sometimes they are meant to explain needing time to think.

go for a stroll

take a walk

go get some air

clear my head

examples

I can't think straight.  I am going to go out and get some air.

I have a lot of decisions to make so I am going to take a walk and sort things out.

Whenever I have a lot on my mind, I go for a stroll.  It helps clear my head.

Lesson 317--take a toll

Studying has taken its toll on these studens

Great expressing to explain the negative effect something is having on you is "to take a toll" or "to take its toll."

examples

All the work Melanie did in the garden really took a toll on her body.  She was sore for a week.

Abusing alcohol took its toll on Dan.  He looked much older than he was.

The doctor warned all the children that smoking takes a toll on a person's lungs and heart.

The students complained that too much homework was taking a toll on their social lives.

Lesson 266--taking the fun out of something.

taking the fun out of something

meaning:  when someone or something turns a fun thing into something boring or terrible. 

examples

James took the fun out of the game when he insisted that everyone follow his rules.

The bad news about the car accident took the fun out of the party.

Maria felt that keeping score took the fun out of playing golf.

Teenagers think their parents take the fun out of everything.

Email has taken the fun out of writing and receiving letters.

The bill took the fun out of eating dinner at the restaurant.

Lesson 206--expressions with take

Take is a very useful word in English.  Here are two very useful and common expressions which use take.

 

take place = happen, occur

The next world cup will take place in Brazil.

The story takes place in England.

The festival will take place on a long weekend in May.

Where will the concert take place?

take into account = consider, think about

Before buying that car you should take the insurance cost into account.

I was going to charge less money before I took the materials into account.

The judge took into account the special circumstances before he sentenced him to jail.

Lesson 166--Expressions with "take" part two

 

 

There are lots of expressions using "take:" in English--maybe enough to write a book about them (I will call it "Take That").  While I won't argue with my students about these expression, I will do my best to teach a few of them.

take offense

This means to be insulted by what someone has said or done.

example:          George took offense when Mary didn't listen to his concerns.

                        Martha always takes offense when people don't compliment her cooking.

take heart

This means to take comfort, or something positive from a situation.

example:          I take heart in the fact that this blog is helping people.

                        At least I can take heart in the efforts my students are making.

Lesson 165--Expressions with "take" part one

My students often tell me that there are too many expressions with "take" in English.  While I can't agree that there are too many, I certainly must admit that there are a lot of them.  However, they are fun to teach, so here are two good ones for today's lesson (and two more for Wednesday)

take stock (of a situation)

This means to reflect on, consider, or at least think about a situation.

example:         After the monthly sales and expenditures were calculated, the President and the Vice President sat down to take stock of the situation.

                        After taking stock of the situation, Mary knew exactly what to do.

take charge

This means to assume control, to become the leader.

example:         When the boss went on Vacation, Patricia took charg

                        Everyone panicked, except Bob.  He took charge.

Lesson 117--Take a Load Off (and other expressions)

 

In English we have a lot of ways to indicate a break.  Quite a few of them involve take.

 

take a break

take five/take ten (the length of the break is indicated by the number)

take a load off

take a breather

take a minute

take a second (a very short break)

 

examples

Okay everyone.  Take a break.

You look tired.  Sit down and take a load off.

After running the marathon Dan took a breather before his interview.

 

 

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Please note, take a rest, is not a correct expression, even though my students use it all the time.

Lesson 104--take advantage of someone/something

take advantage of someone or something

this phrasal verb has positive and negative connotations.

 

positive:  to make the most of an opportunity, chance or situation.

i.e.       He took advantage of his boss' absence to make some important changes.

            Take advantage of all your free time to study more.

negative: to use or exploit someone or something unfairly for your gain.

i.e.       He took advantage of his mother's guilt and made her cook for him.

            Carmen took advantage of her brother to get a ride to school.

            People take advantage of his generosity all the time.