take turns

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

Mayor Austin Bonta, Police Chief Michael Candiano and Fire Chief Chris Crail took turns in the dunk tank. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Parisi also said her client and his father called 911 and remained at the scene, taking turns performing CPR on Styles until authorities arrived. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The trial was swift — about a month and a half — and Leslie’s teacher friends took turns sitting in the courtroom. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

As the roundtable concluded, leaders from each faith took turns praying. — ABC News, 31 July 2026

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