take turns

idiomatic phrase

variants also British take it in turns

: to do something one after another in regular succession in order to share the responsibility or opportunity of doing it : alternate

We take turns washing the dishes.

Almost immediately, Rick and Diane begin videotaping their classroom lessons, letting their students take turns with the cameras.

—Ann Bradley

Several youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.

—Christopher Isherwood

Examples of take turns in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rotating Responsibilities Invite different team members to take turns leading meetings, task forces and short-term initiatives. —Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

There are lots of buds, so that means lots more blooms will take turns opening, meaning the plant will be colorful for a good six weeks. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025

Now, the Thunder’s two stars can take turns running point, attacking different coverages in their nuanced ways. —Jared Weiss, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Not everybody can catch 70 balls, so the competition for playing time will be steep, but Franklin and Vele took turns looking primed to take big leaps forward this fall. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take turns

• holofernes
• overturns
• subalterns
• adjourns
• concerns
• discerns
• downturns
• internes
• nocturnes
• returns
• sideburns
• churns