take root

idiomatic phrase

1

of a plant : to grow and develop roots : to become rooted

… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.

—Mary K. Miller

2

: to become fixed or established

… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.

—Greg Grandin

A monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of take root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inflation to creep higher Most see at least a steady grind higher in prices as tariff clarity emerges and what looks to be effective rates around 18% — compared with around 3% at the start of the year — take root, with some caveats. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025

These peak earning years are supposed to be a season when careers stabilize and financial security takes root. —Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

There is excitement in Scotland, and the conditions for something new to take root. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025

And many are taking root not in Silicon Valley’s glass towers, but in the Sacramento-Davis corridor, close enough to the fields to get dirt on their boots. —Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take root

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute