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
Ann BradleySeveral youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.—Christopher Isherwood
Christopher Isherwood
Examples of take turns in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Since becoming a dad to twins in 2020, he’s joined the 5 a.m. club and takes turns doing kids’ drop-off with his wife—who also works at Farmer J in marketing.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 6 Apr. 2024
The third lawsuit alleged Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping a plaintiff and her friend following an Uptown Records event in 1990.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
Members were encouraged to start families and took turns watching over each other’s kids.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
In documents obtained by PEOPLE, another Jane Doe, who has since revealed herself as Liza Gardner, alleged that Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping her and a friend in New York City more than 30 years ago.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Outside, her students take turns trying the glasses on and looking up at the sun.
—Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
The children, who attend school in a diverse, middle-class suburb east of Columbus, broke into small groups and took turns sharing prayer requests.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
Volunteers take turns working shifts at the clinic.
—USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
Holmes and others on the mammal staff take turns feeding and holding the infant around the clock.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024
Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 6 Apr. 2024
The third lawsuit alleged Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping a plaintiff and her friend following an Uptown Records event in 1990.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
Members were encouraged to start families and took turns watching over each other’s kids.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
In documents obtained by PEOPLE, another Jane Doe, who has since revealed herself as Liza Gardner, alleged that Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping her and a friend in New York City more than 30 years ago.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Outside, her students take turns trying the glasses on and looking up at the sun.
—Lee V. Gaines, NPR, 25 Mar. 2024
The children, who attend school in a diverse, middle-class suburb east of Columbus, broke into small groups and took turns sharing prayer requests.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 25 Mar. 2024
Volunteers take turns working shifts at the clinic.
—USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
Holmes and others on the mammal staff take turns feeding and holding the infant around the clock.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take turns.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1613, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near take turns
Cite this Entry
“Take turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20turns. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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