a :to begin to deal with (something, such as a job or responsibility)着手处理(工作或任务);承担(责任等)
I don't have time to take on any new responsibilities right now.我现在没有时间接手任何新的任务。
We are depending on you to take on this important assignment.我们指望着你来承担这项重要任务。
Her willingness to take on new challenges is admirable.她乐于接受新挑战,令人敬佩。
b :to begin to have (a particular quality or appearance)开始具有(某种特征);开始呈现(某种外观)
Her writings took on new meaning after her death.她去世后她的作品有了新的价值。
In the evening, the plaza takes on a different air/aura.广场在晚上呈现出不同的气氛。
stories in which animals take on human attributes拟人化的动物故事
The story was broadcast throughout the world and began to take on a life of its own. [=to become very large, important, and hard to control]这条新闻在全世界播出后迅速扩大,几近失控。
The story has taken on mythic proportions. [=it has become very famous or important]这个故事成了著名的经典。
2
take on (someone or something)ortake (someone or something) on
a :to fight or struggle with (someone or something)对付;与…斗争
Police have been taking on the neighborhood's drug dealers.警方一直在打击这一街区的毒贩子。
She's not afraid to take on her critics/detractors directly.她不怕直接面对她的抨击者/诽谤者。
They will need lots of money and resources to take on the tobacco companies.他们需要大量的资金和资源来对付烟草公司。
:to criticize or argue against (someone or something)批评;抨击
She takes on the country's current foreign policy in her new book.她在新书里抨击了国家现行的外交政策。
taking on sexism in the music industry批评音乐行业的性别歧视
b :to compete against (a person, team, etc.)(与…)比赛,较量
The Yankees are set to take on the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium tonight.扬基队已经准备好今晚在扬基体育场和红袜队比赛。
She took him on in a game of tennis.她和他在网球比赛中对阵。
c :to allow (someone or something) to enter让…进入
The train took on a few more passengers before leaving the city.火车在离开这座城市之前又搭载了一些乘客。
The ship sprung a leak and began to take on water. [=water began getting into the ship]船裂了一条缝,开始进水。
3
take on (someone)ortake (someone) on:to accept (someone) as an employee, client, etc.雇用;接纳
I'm sorry, but the doctor isn't taking on [=taking] any new patients.对不起,医生不打算接诊任何新病人了。
She agreed to take him on as an assistant.她同意聘他为助理。
will take on his chief opponent in the next political debate decided to take her on as store manager
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