take the helm
idiom
1
: to steer a boat or ship
The ship's captain took the helm.
2
: to take a position of full control or authority in an organization
She took the helm of the university.
Examples of take the helm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, is now poised to take the helm at a time when the agency has come under scrutiny for its shifts to vaccination policies and recommendations.
—
Sophie Brams, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
The bets slid further into the summer, after a new Fed chair is set to take the helm.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Steenhuisen’s departure paves the way for one of South Africa’s most likeable politicians to take the helm of a key pillar of the coalition government.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The prospect of Walden becoming the first woman to take the helm of Disney put even more focus on the exec, whose portfolio at present is wider than most other studio chiefs.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take the helm
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Sophie Brams, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026
The bets slid further into the summer, after a new Fed chair is set to take the helm.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Steenhuisen’s departure paves the way for one of South Africa’s most likeable politicians to take the helm of a key pillar of the coalition government.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The prospect of Walden becoming the first woman to take the helm of Disney put even more focus on the exec, whose portfolio at present is wider than most other studio chiefs.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take the helm
Cite this Entry
“Take the helm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20helm. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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