take time
idiom
1
: to need or require time to happen or be done
You have to be patient. Things like this take time.
It may take some time for the medication to wear off.
The meeting won't take too much time.
This job is easy and will take no time at all.
2
or take the time
: to use an amount of time in order to do something important
They never took the time to get to know her.
I took some time to think about it, and my answer is still "no."
Examples of take time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Japan's existing stockpile of reserves means China's measures may take time to have an impact, Wasser added.
—
Josh Xiao Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Granted, adjusting to new surroundings can take time, and the Red Wings have largely played better in front of Gibson, too, which matters.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
My husband couldn’t take time away from work.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Make time for enjoyment, but also take time to get organized as well.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take time
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Josh Xiao Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
Granted, adjusting to new surroundings can take time, and the Red Wings have largely played better in front of Gibson, too, which matters.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
My husband couldn’t take time away from work.
—Terry Ward, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Make time for enjoyment, but also take time to get organized as well.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take time
Cite this Entry
“Take time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20time. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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