mony and bismuth. 2. seat oneself: Dvorah took a place in the back of the courtroom, where she quietly recited scripture. 3. take up a job in a certain capacity: He condescended to take a place as job coachman in a livery stable. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase take place—happen; occur: If an invasion took place the Chinese might enter the war. take one’s place—sit down in one’s allocated or chosen seat: There was no applause when Dr. Werner took his place at the podium. take a seat • take one’s seat take a seat—sit down; seat oneself: I took a seat in the back row where I hoped my person and my note taking would go unnoticed. take one’s seat—1. sit down in one’s allocated or chosen seat: Archbishop Elder entered the sanctuary and took his seat at the altar. 2. (UK) assume one’s membership in the House of Commons: Sir George Lynn, who was lately elected member for Milcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase take one’s seat on the bench1. (of a judge) take one’s seat on the raised platform in the courtroom: When Lord Eldon took his seat on the bench and saw the vacant place where for years Romilly had pleaded before him, his eyes filled with tears. 2. become a judge in a court of law: Bradley took his seat on the bench in October of that year, but was forced to retire a few weeks later by failing health. take a shine to someone • take the shine out of someone take a shine to someone—(coll.) take a fancy to a person; develop a liking for smb.: I suppose I oughtn’t to blame you if Marion’s taken a shine to you. You must have a way with women. take the shine out of someone—(coll.) deprive smb. of his supremacy; surpass a person (also: take the shine off someone): That girl’s got it in her, I can tell you. She’ll take the shine out of some of our West-Enders. take a sleigh ride • take someone for a sleigh ride take a sleigh ride —(Drug users) take cocaine (also: go for a sleigh ride): Ernie left the room briefly to take a sleigh ride . take someone for a sleigh ride—(coll.) mislead smb. deliber- ately; deceive or swindle a person (also: take someone for a ride): Purchasing from a familiar retailer can reduce the risk of being taken for a sleigh ride . Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase give someone a rough ride—(coll.) treat a person harshly; make smb.’s life difficult (also: give someone a rough passage): It seems to me that he is being given an unnecessarily rough ride . take a stand on something • take the stand on something take a stand on something—(also: take one’s stand on some- thing ) adopt a firm position concerning smth.: He sent a selec- tion of newspaper pieces to the authorities with the request that they take a stand on the matter. take the stand on something—vouch for smth.; stand surety for smth.: She is generally believed to be Sneyd’s wife, though I could not take the stand on that myself. take a toll of • take a toll on take a toll of —cause a high number of casualties: The land- mines took a toll of several thousand civilian lives. take a toll on—have a very serious effect on a person: The walking was beginning to take a toll on all of us. take a turn • take turns take a turn1. go for a short walk or ride: It was such a nice day that we decided to take a turn through the park. 2. do one’s share; engage in a short period of activity: There was no wind so … each took a turn at operating the boat under engine power. take turns —do smth. in turn; alternate at regular intervals: Since we took turns driving, we did not find the trip too tir- ing. take account of something • take an account of something take account of something—(also: take something into account) take smth. into consideration (when making a decision): Approval procedures should take account of the scientific qual- ity of the project and the experience of the researcher. take an account of something —estimate how many there are of smth.: Immediately upon hearing of the circumstance of the robbery, I took an account of the things that were miss- ing. take advantage of someone • take someone at advantage take advantage of someone—outwit a person, especially unfairly; make undue use of an advantage: “You have brought me here under false pretences,” I cried. “You have taken cow - ardly advantage of me.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have the advantage of someone—(also: have an advan- tage over someone) have a better position or opportunity than another person: “You have the advantage of me in courtesy as well as in years, sir,” I replied. take someone at advantage(dated) take a person by surprise: The enemy effected a passage across the sierra, where a much inferior force to his own might have taken him at advantage . take after someone • take off after someone take after someone —1. resemble a parent or ancestor in char- acter or appearance: I take after my mother in looks, but peo- ple say I’ve got my father’s character. 2. set out in pursuit of a person: Victoria, enraged, ends up in the path of a bucket of water and takes after the brutish men with a broom. take off after someone —(also: take out after someone) = take after someone 2: Claire took off after the robbers, screaming, “Stop thief!” as loudly as she could. take air • take the air take air —1. go out for a walk; go out of doors: Guests went out to garden, later also brothers Werners went outside to take air . 2. (Ski jumping ) launch oneself into the air when skiing down a steep slope: I watch the guys take air and I say, “All right, I’m going to try it.” I like the adrenaline rush. 3. (of rumors, etc.) become known; be made public (also: take wind): The FSB officers’ actions took air not only in Russia, but also in other countries. take the air—1. = take air 1: A few people were wandering among Ma’s flower-beds, taking the air . 2. (also: take to the air) rise into the air; start flying: The three got into the plane, waved adieu to friends on the field, and with a roar the plane took the air . 3. (sl.) is used to tell a person to go away and stop being annoying: I was very patient with the man, but when he became abusive I told him to take the air . 4. (euph.) leave to use the toilet: Danny said he needed to take the air , a gentlemanly statement of his desire to use the outhouse. 5. assume the manner of a person: “Come you will be our hon- ored guests at our banquet,” Katya said again taking the air of a ruler. See also: give oneself airs / give someone the air. – 313 – take air