take time

idiom

1
: to need or require time to happen or be done
You have to be patient. Things like this take time.
It may take some time for the medication to wear off.
The meeting won't take too much time.
This job is easy and will take no time at all.
2
or take the time : to use an amount of time in order to do something important
They never took the time to get to know her.
I took some time to think about it, and my answer is still "no."

Examples of take time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Simon’s diversification strategy, however, will take time to reverse its fortunes. Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 Impacts on supply chains and global trade take time manifest and even more time to reverse course. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 The Seven of Pentacles is a gentle reminder that great things take time. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025 These techniques take time, patience and compassion – all things that can be in short supply amid conflict. Lisa Pavia-Higel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take time

Cite this Entry

“Take time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20time. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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