: 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 Web
Dave Quinn, People.com, 12 May 2025
More mild-mannered than take-charge showman, Ricks prefers to take an under-the-radar approach to dominating the industry.
—Alice Park, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Maggie Kreienberg, People.com, 11 June 2025
The consortium led by GRK Suomi includes Finnish, Estonian, French and Swedish partners taking charge of substructure and superstructure works for the Ülemiste–Pärnu and Tootsi–Pärnu segments.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for take-charge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Throughout the show, Louise goes from meek wallflower struggling to keep up with her sister June (Jordan Tyson) in their family Vaudeville act to the take-charge superstar stripper, all while under the unbearable pressure from her mother, Rose (Audra McDonald).
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 12 May 2025
More mild-mannered than take-charge showman, Ricks prefers to take an under-the-radar approach to dominating the industry.
—Alice Park, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Idiomatic phrase
Melinda served as Brian's manager In 1999, Melinda became Brian's manager, taking charge of all his bookings.
—Maggie Kreienberg, People.com, 11 June 2025
The consortium led by GRK Suomi includes Finnish, Estonian, French and Swedish partners taking charge of substructure and superstructure works for the Ülemiste–Pärnu and Tootsi–Pärnu segments.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for take-charge
Cite this Entry
“Take-charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take-charge. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share