| Phrasal verb | Main meaning |
|---|---|
take over from [teɪk ˈəʊvə frəm] | to assume control or responsibility from someone else |
Other meanings
- to replace someone in a job, role, or task
- to continue an activity or process that someone else was doing
- to gain control of a company or organization (business takeover)
Example Sentences Using the Phrasal Verb "take over from"
- When the manager retires, Sarah will take over from him.
- Can you take over from this point and finish the report?
- The deputy took over from the CEO during his medical leave.
- After the merger, the new owner took over from the previous management.
Features of Using "take over from"
Often used in business and organizational contexts to indicate a change of responsibility. It is commonly used transitively with a direct object (take over from someone).
In informal speech you may also hear the verb separated without the preposition for the same basic idea (for example, “take the company over”), but when you mean “replace X” with the explicit source you usually use take over from.
The phrase can describe temporary handovers (covering someone’s duties) as well as permanent transfers of control (mergers, replacements).
Other phrasal verbs with the verb take
take off
to leave the ground and begin to fly
take away
remove something from a place or person
take up
to begin a new activity or hobby
take out
to remove something from a place
take over
to gain control of something, especially a business or responsibility
take in
to absorb or understand something
take back
to return something
take after
to resemble a family member in appearance or character
take along
to bring someone or something with you
take down
to remove something from a higher position
take aside
to move someone away from others for a private conversation
take apart
disassemble into pieces
take through
to guide someone through a process or explain something step by step
take on
to accept or undertake a task or responsibility
take to
to begin to like someone or something
take out on
to direct your anger or frustration toward someone or something unfairly
take down a notch
to humble someone or reduce their arrogance
🔗 Learn more about the irregular verb take, including its forms and usage.