take on

verb takes on · taking on · took on · taken on

1. To acquire, bring in, or introduce. The ship took on cargo in Norfolk yesterday.
2. To obtain the services of (a person) in exchange for remuneration; to give someone a job. Taking on a first employee should be done with care and consideration.
3. idiomatic To begin to have or exhibit. In the dark, the teddy bear took on the appearance of a fearsome monster.
4. idiomatic To assume or take responsibility for. I'll take on the project if no one else will.
5. UK, idiomatic To accept (feedback). Thanks for your comments, I'll take them on.
6. idiomatic To attempt to fight, compete with, or engage with. I don't recommend taking on that bully, since he's bigger than you are.
7. To (attempt to) dribble round (an opposition player). He drifted past four Palace players and took on two more before crossing to the far post, where Fellaini touched on for Mata to score. It was a momentum-shifting moment.
8. colloquial, intransitive To catch on, do well; to become popular. He had enough money to stock it well, and it took on; but the side of the business he did best on was his travelling shop.
9. idiomatic, intransitive To grieve or be concerned (about something or someone). But I am one of those that never take on about princely fortunes, and am quite content if the world is ready to board and lodge me, while I am putting up at this grim sign of the Thunder Cloud.
10. UK, intransitive To enlist into military service.