take-charge

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtāk-ˈchärj 

: having the qualities of a forceful leader

a take-charge executive

take charge

2 of 2

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 of

She 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

Samuel Morse wanted the federal government to take charge of building a national telegraph system.

—Virginia Postrel

I 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

Examples of take-charge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The result is being a take-charge player Holm can trust to be sort of a coach on the field. — Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

While Bukele is admired by many people in Haiti for his take-charge style, his deployment has also created ripples, raising concerns about his ultimate intentions. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Phrase

The government, whose capital was in Sanaa, took charge with the support of Egypt and had a notably Pan-Arabist orientation. — Manfred W. Wenner, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 2026

But that was it for the night as the Crusaders took charge, finding the end zone on each of their five second-quarter possessions to lead 42-7 at the half. — Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Phrase

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take-charge

• overcharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge