Meaning & use
one takeaway
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Meaning
nouncountableinformal
The single most important idea or lesson from a meeting, book, or event.
Grammar: Countable; often used in phrases like 'the one takeaway' or 'one takeaway from'.
Patterns
- one takeaway from something
- the one takeaway
My one takeaway from the conference was to listen more.
The one takeaway from the report is that we need to cut costs.
Can you give me one takeaway from the book?
Word forms
| plural | one takeaways |
|---|
Common combinations
- one takeaway from
- One takeaway from the meeting was to improve communication.
- the main takeaway
- The main takeaway is that customers want faster service.
- key takeaway
- The key takeaway from the study is that exercise helps memory.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lesson
- More general and often about life; 'takeaway' is more about a specific meeting or text.
- conclusion
- More formal and logical; 'takeaway' is informal and personal.
Commonly confused: one takeaway or takeout?
one takeaway vs takeout
In American English, 'takeout' means food you buy to eat elsewhere; 'takeaway' in British English has that meaning too, but in business it means a key point.
Practice
What was your main ______ from the training session?
Choose one answer.
After 'main', use the singular noun 'takeaway'. 'Takeaways' is plural and would need a plural verb or no 'main'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “one takeaway”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.