take care of

phrase

1

: to attend to or provide for the needs, operation, or treatment of (someone or something)

He is home taking care of a sick child.

Each operator can take care of three machines.

The schoolteacher began to feel like a fifth wheel. Her home was taken care of, and her children were taking care of themselves.

—Dorothy West

2

: to deal with or do (something that requires effort or attention)

My assistant takes care of all our travel arrangements.

He offered to take care of [=pay] the bill.

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take care of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove