Idioms and phrasal verbs with take

Take something for granted: accept it as true, certain to happen

We take so many things for granted – like pure water to drink and good food to eat.

Take after somebody: resemble in looks

The baby takes after its father. (= The baby resembles its father.)

Take something down: write down notes etc.

The teacher asked the students to take down the notes.
Did you take down that number?

Take somebody down: lower his pride

Take somebody in: receive him / her as a guest

The hospital staff said that they won’t be able to take in any more patients.

Take somebody in: get the better of somebody by a trick

I can’t believe I am taken in by him. (= I can’t believe that I have been tricked.)

Take something in: understand

I couldn’t take in what she was saying.

Take somebody for: consider to be, especially wrongly suppose to be

He was taken for an Englishman.

Take off: start a flight; ridicule by imitation

Take over: succeed to the management or ownership of

When does the new manager take over?

Take to: adopt as a habit or practice

He took to gardening on retirement.

Take to: conceive a liking for

I took to the old man at once.

Take to one’s heels: run; try to escape