And we give examples so that you can learn to use them yourself . Sometimes we talk about a very simple term – like the word “take .” But "take " is not as simple as it sounds . In fact , the Oxford English Dictionary calls it one of the “elemental words of the (English ) language .” Many expressions using the word “take ” first appeared in American English years ago and have not changed at all . For example , the website Etymology Online says the saying take it or leave it was first used in the late 19th century . But you can find this phrase commonly used and in many different situations . The phrase to take it out on someone or something means to express anger at someone or something . It is a sign of misplaced anger . One website says this expression was first used in 1840 . Today you can often hear it in conversational speech . Let's say your friend lost his job . He is angry and shouts at you for something unrelated . You can say to him , “Look I know you're upset . But don't take it out on me . I didn't fire you !” Taking it out on someone is very different from having a give-and-take with someone . Give-and-take is the process opposing sides go through to reach an agreement . It's a compromise . Both sides give up something they want but also take something they want . Give-and-take can also mean the act of exchanging ideas or comments . If you take after someone , it means you seem to be like them in some way . If Felix is very much like his father , you could say he takes after his father . If you are simply taken by someone , you either show complete respect for or are totally in love with the person . For example , “She is really taken with the new man in the office . He is all she talks about !” “Take ” can also be used as a noun . And it has several meanings . Take can be money collected during a performance of something . If you are a criminal , your take is your share of what was stolen . But when using the word “take ,” the situation is very important . If I ask you what your take is , I am asking for your opinion about something . For example , “give me your take on this year's election .” Combining the verb “take ” with any number of prepositions is where the fun really starts . Take away when used as a combination noun is what you learned from something . You could say , “Her career in politics really took off when she moved to Washington , D.C .” Yet the adjective take-out is very different . “Take-out ” describes the food you buy from a restaurant and bring home to eat . Chinese take-out meals are very popular in the United States . However , if are tired of spending money on Chinese take-out , you can take up Chinese cooking . This means you are learning how to do it . You can also take up an instrument or take up a hobby like painting . Change the order of those two words and you have “uptake .” Uptake is the process by which something is taken in by the body or a plant . But that is not the way we often use it in every day speech . “Uptake ” also means the ability to learn new things , to understand what is happening or being said – as in this example : Fill out this form and give me your health insurance card . The doctor will see you shortly . You want me to fill out my health insurance and give it to the doctor ? Just complete this insurance form and give ME the form . Sorry , I'm a little slow on the uptake . I don't know what is wrong with my brain today . You can also use the expression “uptake ,” like this : “He's kind of slow on the up-take .” This means he is slow to understand a situation . If all this information is too much , you might want to take five , or take a break . Take five is what actors , dancers and musicians say when they want to take a break . But these days anyone can say “take five ” if they need a little rest from work . Word historians say this expression was first used in the late 1920s . To take on has several meanings . In our example , it means to deal with someone or something as an opponent . You can also take on new responsibilities . Then the phrase means to begin performing or to deal with something , such as she took on the job of manager after Steve resigned . You can add the word “take ” to word combinations and create new expressions . For example , if people take something for granted , they do not place much value on it . Or you believe it to be true , real or expected . This is a very common expression . For example , if you take your friends for granted , you may not have friends for very long . It's better to let your friends know that you value them . Unless that friend takes you for a ride . If you are taken for a ride , you are fooled by someone . If you take a plunge , you act bravely and with determination . This expression began in the late 1800s . And if you take a back seat to someone or something you have assumed the secondary position of importance to them . The criminal world of the 1930s is responsible for at least two “take ” expressions . To take the rap means to accept punishment for something you didn't do . And to be on the take means to take money from criminals . And if you take the money and run , you are a criminal . To take into account means to consider something . For example , when the man planned his trip to Hawaii , he did not take into account the cost of fuel . He went over-budget by several hundreds of dollars . If someone tells you to take it easy , they want you to calm down . Taking it easy can also mean to simply relax and do nothing . So , do you see what we mean ? The word "take " has so many uses . You can take our word for it . That means you can trust us .