: having the qualities of a forceful leader
a take-charge executive
take charge
2 of 2idiomatic phrase
: to assume control, command, care, or custody
… the people Americans have chosen to take charge in times of crisis …—
Marc Fisher
—often used with ofMarc FisherShe took charge of the company/team/project.
A neighbor took charge of the children until he got home from the emergency room.
Happiness is what occurs when you take charge of your life …—Terina Allen
Terina AllenSamuel Morse wanted the federal government to take charge of building a national telegraph system.—Virginia Postrel
Virginia PostrelI could see that unless I took charge of the situation nothing would get done. So I said, "Mouse, you and Jane … help me … ."—Judy Blume
Judy BlumeExamples of take-charge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebKatie Mannion, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
The true freshman seems to have the makeup to someday develop into a reliable crunch-time player, the combination of a take-charge mentality and skills.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2024
Many of the big laughs come from comedian Lopez, who makes Uncle Rudy a gonzo figure with a lusty approach to life and all its dangers; and from Barraza, whose take-charge attitude gets the family through one of its most heartbreaking blows and galvanizes them to put aside their tears and fight.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2023
Three take-charge hop varieties, Citra, Simcoe and Eureka, wrap around the sweet malty middle.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2023
The take-charge venture capitalist who as mayor shepherded Los Angeles’ rebound from the 1992 riots died at his Brentwood home.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2023
The Aries moon squares Mars to incite a take-charge mood.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2023
That's largely because Mario ends up with a relatively minor speaking role in his own movie, pushed aside for other more take-charge characters.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2023
Lately that magic has been there for the outset, far less of Butler pacing himself toward his typical take-charge finishes.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023
Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Prior to taking charge of Norway’s data watchdog, Coll spent five years as a partner at a corporate law firm.
—Stephanie Bodoni, Fortune Europe, 8 Mar. 2024
When Sarina was younger, Wilson took charge of getting answers about her daughter's illness.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
The task of managing Sporting — with its squad of young promise and gnarled journeymen — is a world away from taking charge of the superstars at Barcelona or Manchester United.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Someone had to go to center and Tarasenko, 32, took charge, quickly sliding into an unfamiliar role on defense and blocking a shot.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Altman eventually returned as the company’s CEO less than a week later, as a new board of directors took charge.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
And accusations have surfaced that with many village leaders killed in the strike, pro-Russian residents have now taken charge.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
When private hotel plans stalled at the address in 2020, the neighborhood took charge.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Ambitious and confident, Aries have a take-charge attitude.
—Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
The true freshman seems to have the makeup to someday develop into a reliable crunch-time player, the combination of a take-charge mentality and skills.
—Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2024
Many of the big laughs come from comedian Lopez, who makes Uncle Rudy a gonzo figure with a lusty approach to life and all its dangers; and from Barraza, whose take-charge attitude gets the family through one of its most heartbreaking blows and galvanizes them to put aside their tears and fight.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2023
Three take-charge hop varieties, Citra, Simcoe and Eureka, wrap around the sweet malty middle.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2023
The take-charge venture capitalist who as mayor shepherded Los Angeles’ rebound from the 1992 riots died at his Brentwood home.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2023
The Aries moon squares Mars to incite a take-charge mood.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2023
That's largely because Mario ends up with a relatively minor speaking role in his own movie, pushed aside for other more take-charge characters.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2023
Lately that magic has been there for the outset, far less of Butler pacing himself toward his typical take-charge finishes.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023
Idiomatic phrase
Leadership skills contribute to personal growth and development by taking charge of your own life, setting goals, and making decisions.
—Maria Williams, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Prior to taking charge of Norway’s data watchdog, Coll spent five years as a partner at a corporate law firm.
—Stephanie Bodoni, Fortune Europe, 8 Mar. 2024
When Sarina was younger, Wilson took charge of getting answers about her daughter's illness.
—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
The task of managing Sporting — with its squad of young promise and gnarled journeymen — is a world away from taking charge of the superstars at Barcelona or Manchester United.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Someone had to go to center and Tarasenko, 32, took charge, quickly sliding into an unfamiliar role on defense and blocking a shot.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Altman eventually returned as the company’s CEO less than a week later, as a new board of directors took charge.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
And accusations have surfaced that with many village leaders killed in the strike, pro-Russian residents have now taken charge.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
When private hotel plans stalled at the address in 2020, the neighborhood took charge.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take-charge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take-charge
Cite this Entry
“Take-charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take-charge. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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