Meaning & use
taking charge
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“taking charge” is a form of “take charge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phrasephrasal verb
Starting to lead or control a situation, group or task, especially when nobody else is doing so.
Grammar: Often followed by of: she is taking charge of the event; or used alone: someone has to take charge.
Patterns
- take charge of something
- take charge of someone
- take charge
Taking charge of the group, she told everyone where to stand.
When the teacher fainted, a student started taking charge and called for help.
He is taking charge of the whole renovation project.
phrasephrasal verb
Becoming responsible for looking after someone or something, such as a department or a child.
Grammar: Needs of when a thing or person follows: taking charge of the shop.
Patterns
- take charge of something
She is taking charge of the new office next month.
The new manager is taking charge of hiring.
He started taking charge of his own medical care.
Word forms
| present participle | taking charge |
|---|---|
| past | took charge |
| past participle | taken charge |
Common combinations
- taking charge of the situation
- The pilot calmly kept taking charge of the situation.
- taking charge of the team
- She is taking charge of the team after the director left.
- taking charge of your health
- Taking charge of your health starts with small habits.
- someone needs to take charge
- With no plan in place, someone needs to take charge.
Synonyms and how they differ
- taking over
- Taking over means replacing someone who was there before, while taking charge can describe leading when no one was.
- leading
- Leading is plain and general, while taking charge emphasizes the moment of stepping forward to lead.
- stepping up
- Stepping up suggests accepting a duty when needed, whereas taking charge stresses gaining control.
Opposites
Word family
- charge noun
- responsibility or control over something
- in charge phrase
- having authority over something
- take charge phrase
- to start leading or controlling
- takeover noun
- the act of gaining control of something
Commonly confused: taking charge or in charge?
taking charge vs in charge
In charge describes the state of already having control; taking charge describes the action of starting to have it.
Practice
When the manager suddenly left, Priya began ___ of the meeting and set the agenda.
Choose one answer.
Take charge of means start leading something. Taking part means joining in, which does not fit someone setting the agenda.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “taking charge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.