take turns
idiomatic phrase
variants
also British take it in turns
: to do something one after another in regular succession in order to share the responsibility or opportunity of doing it : alternate
We take turns washing the dishes.
Almost immediately, Rick and Diane begin videotaping their classroom lessons, letting their students take turns with the cameras.—
Ann Bradley
Ann BradleySeveral youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.—Christopher Isherwood
Christopher IsherwoodExamples of take turns in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Different members took turns pumping up the team.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In recent years, my sisters and I will take turns trying a new appetizer like Buffalo chicken dip or a pull-apart cheese bread.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Starting in 2000, the Steelers, Jets, Colts, Ravens, Broncos all took turns poking the bear that was the dynasty-era Patriots, and, occasionally, drew blood.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
During the show, veteran artists like Jeff Hanna (of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jim Lauderdale, and Steve Earle took turns on stage, performing alongside the band in Malo’s absence.
—Chris Parton, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take turns
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Bryan West, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In recent years, my sisters and I will take turns trying a new appetizer like Buffalo chicken dip or a pull-apart cheese bread.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Starting in 2000, the Steelers, Jets, Colts, Ravens, Broncos all took turns poking the bear that was the dynasty-era Patriots, and, occasionally, drew blood.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025
During the show, veteran artists like Jeff Hanna (of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jim Lauderdale, and Steve Earle took turns on stage, performing alongside the band in Malo’s absence.
—Chris Parton, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take turns
Cite this Entry
“Take turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20turns. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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