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

Several youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.

—Christopher Isherwood

Examples of take turns in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditionally, individuals involved in a jameya circle pool together their monthly contributions, with members taking turns to receive a lump sum. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026

The Chens take turns passing the ball to each other and pressuring opponents. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

The A-list, high net worth crowd took turns bidding on an Abu Dhabi trip to see Carey perform, tickets to the Grammys, and a glittery stage worn outfit by the star — all in the name of charity. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026

Players choose a card, which offers a category like pizza toppings or cartoons, and take turns shouting out a word that fits the category and corresponds to a letter on the board that hasn’t already been used. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take turns

• holofernes
• overturns
• subalterns
• adjourns
• concerns
• discerns
• downturns
• internes
• nocturnes
• returns
• sideburns
• churns