Physical Actions (Take): English Vocabulary List

to do something in response to a particular situation, often to address a problem or achieve a goal

"We need to take action now."

"The government needs to take action immediately to reduce pollution and protect the environment."

to wash the body in a tub filled with water

"I want to take a bath."

"After working in the garden all morning I really need to take a hot bath and relax."

to eat a portion of food by cutting it or tearing it with the teeth

"He took a bite of the apple."

"The hungry child could not wait to take a bite of the delicious chocolate cake."

to show appreciation for applause or recognition by lowering one's head or upper body, typically after a performance or achievement

"The actor took a bow after the play."

"The talented pianist took a bow after her amazing performance and the audience cheered loudly."

to answer an incoming phone call

"I need to take this call."

"The busy executive had to take a call from an important client during the lunch meeting."

to engage in physical activity, typically for the purpose of improving one's fitness, health, or overall well-being

"You should take exercise every day."

"Doctors recommend that you take exercise for at least thirty minutes every single day."

to view or examine something briefly or casually

"Can you take a look here?"

"I decided to take a look at the new restaurant that opened downtown last week."

to sit down or assume a sitting position

"Please take a seat and wait."

"Please come inside the living room and feel free to take a comfortable seat."

to wash the body using a flow of water from a showerhead

"I will take a shower now."

"I always take a shower in the morning before going to work to feel fresh and clean."

to drink a small amount of liquid

"She took a sip of her coffee."

"The little girl took a sip of her hot chocolate and smiled because it was perfect."

to make progress or take action toward achieving something

"You need to take a step forward."

"Losing weight is difficult but taking the first step is the most important part of the journey."

to go outside and move on one's feet for pleasure or exercise

"Let us take a walk."

"The weather was so beautiful that we decided to take a walk in the park after lunch."

to receive an unexpected and often indirect criticism or insult

"The senator took a sideswipe from the press."

"The politician took a sideswipe from his opponent during the debate about his voting record."

to direct an insult or criticism toward someone or something, often in an indirect manner

"He took a sideswipe at his opponent."

"The comedian took a sideswipe at the president during his opening monologue on the show."

to board an aircraft and travel from one place to another

"We took a flight to Paris."

"We will take a flight from London to New York that leaves at six in the morning."

to change one's direction while traveling, walking, or navigating a path

"The road took a turn."

"After driving for an hour, we decided to take a turn down a scenic route we had never explored."

(in card games such as bridge and Spades) to win a round by playing the highest-value card among those played by all participants in that round

"He took the trick in the card game."

"The card player played his ace to take the trick and win the round for his team."

(of a bowler in cricket) to successfully get a batsman out

"The bowler took the wicket."

"The fast bowler managed to take the wicket of the opposing team's best batsman."

(of a batter in baseball or softball) to let the thrown ball go by without attempting to hit it

"He took the pitch."

"The batter decided to take the pitch, hoping it was outside the strike zone for a ball."

to travel a distance, typically in a vehicle, such as a car, bicycle, or train

"Would you like to take a ride in my car?"

"The children were excited to take a ride on the roller coaster at the amusement park."

to move one foot forward or to change one's position by moving one's feet

"Please take a step back."

"To get a better perspective on the situation, it's important to take a step back from immediate reactions."