: 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 WebGlenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024
Aries has a take-charge personality that lends itself to strong leadership and resolution, whereas Gemini is more whimsical and indecisive.
—Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024
Philip Bump, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
However, now that CNN has taken charge of the debates, there will be another unusual and potentially unpleasant feature: advertisements.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for take-charge 
Adjective
The home team led 2-0 after one quarter and poured it on with eight straight goals in the take-charge second quarter.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024
Aries has a take-charge personality that lends itself to strong leadership and resolution, whereas Gemini is more whimsical and indecisive.
—Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024
Idiomatic phrase
Biden nominated Merrick Garland to serve as attorney general; Garland eventually took charge of an investigation into the effort to overturn the 2020 election that wasn’t focused on Trump.
—Philip Bump, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
However, now that CNN has taken charge of the debates, there will be another unusual and potentially unpleasant feature: advertisements.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for take-charge
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 26 Jul. 2024.
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