Collocations with Take, Have and Get: Phrases, Examples and Quiz

to use a camera or phone to make a picture

Can you take a photo of us in front of the tower?

to stop working or studying for a short time to rest

Let's take a ten-minute break.

a polite way of saying sit down

Please take a seat. The doctor will see you soon.

to travel somewhere in a taxi; also take the bus, take the train

It was raining, so we took a taxi home.

to write down the important things you hear or read

I always take notes in meetings.

to do an exam; in British English also sit an exam

She's taking her English exam next week.

to join an activity or event with other people

Over two hundred runners took part in the race.

to look after someone or something; also to deal with a task

My mother takes care of my son when I'm at work.

to do something slowly, without hurrying

There's no rush. Take your time.

to happen, especially for a planned event

The wedding will take place in a small village.

to do something that might have a bad result

He took a big risk when he left his job.

to relax and not work too hard; also used to tell someone to calm down

The doctor told me to take it easy for a few days.

to accept that something is your job or your fault

The manager took responsibility for the mistake.

to eat the first meal of the day; also have lunch, have dinner

We usually have breakfast at seven.

to wash your body under running water; take a shower is more common in American English

I'll have a quick shower before we go out.

to enjoy yourself

Did you have a good time at the party?

to enjoy something

Have fun on your trip!

to look at something quickly; take a look is also common, especially in American English

Can I have a look at your photos?

to talk with someone in a friendly, relaxed way

We had a long chat over coffee.

to give birth to a baby, or to become a parent

My sister had a baby girl last week.

to feel pain in your head; also have a cold, have a fever

I have a terrible headache today.

to find something difficult; followed by an -ing verb or with

I have trouble understanding fast speakers.

to try to do something, often for the first time; mainly British English

I've never surfed, but I'd love to have a go.

to talk to someone quickly and privately, often about a problem

Could I have a word with you after the meeting?

to not know something at all

I have no idea where I left my keys.

to stop and relax for a while; mainly British English, get some rest is common in American English

You look tired. Why don't you have a rest?

to be given a job after you apply for it

She got a job at a hotel after university.

to receive an email; also get a message, get a call

Did you get my email about Friday?

to arrive at your home; no preposition before home

What time did you get home last night?

to travel on a bus, or to catch it; take the bus means the same

I usually get the bus to work.

to have the time or opportunity to do something

I didn't get a chance to call you yesterday.

to understand why something is funny; get often means understand

Everyone laughed, but I didn't get the joke.

to have your hair cut by someone else

You look different. Did you get a haircut?

to sleep, especially when you need it

Go to bed and get some sleep.

to prepare yourself or something for an event

Hurry up and get ready. The taxi is here.

to put your clothes on

I get dressed after breakfast.

to not know where you are or how to go somewhere

We got lost in the old part of the city.

to start to feel that you need rest

I get tired very quickly in hot weather.

to improve, or to become healthy again after an illness

Your English is getting better every week.

to become more bad, ill or difficult

The traffic gets worse after five o'clock.

to become night; it is the subject

In winter it gets dark before five.

to become angry

My dad gets angry when people are late.

to become husband and wife; also get engaged, get divorced

They got married on a beach in Bodrum.

to slowly become familiar with something new, followed by a noun or an -ing verb

I'm getting used to living in a big city.