: having the qualities of a forceful leader
a take-charge executive
take charge
2 of 2idiomatic phrase
: to assume control, command, care, or custody
… the people Americans have chosen to take charge in times of crisis …—
Marc Fisher
—often used with ofMarc FisherShe took charge of the company/team/project.
A neighbor took charge of the children until he got home from the emergency room.
Happiness is what occurs when you take charge of your life …—Terina Allen
Terina AllenSamuel Morse wanted the federal government to take charge of building a national telegraph system.—Virginia Postrel
Virginia PostrelI could see that unless I took charge of the situation nothing would get done. So I said, "Mouse, you and Jane … help me … ."—Judy Blume
Judy BlumeExamples of take-charge in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2025
Chalfant illustrates this in the film with exquisite subtlety, assuming by turns the disposition of a coy flirt and a take-charge kitchen taskmaster.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In the second half, Central’s ground game took charge.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take-charge
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Adjective
Reluctantly accepting Chuck’s power of positive thinking and take-charge approach, Dale begins to come out of his shell.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2025
Chalfant illustrates this in the film with exquisite subtlety, assuming by turns the disposition of a coy flirt and a take-charge kitchen taskmaster.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Idiomatic phrase
The switch got flipped in the final quarter as McCarthy took charge, the offensive line asserted itself and the running game got hot.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
In the second half, Central’s ground game took charge.
—Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take-charge
Cite this Entry
“Take-charge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take-charge. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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