take on原始含义表示“穿上”，如：
The fashion of skirt didn't take on for some time.
这款裙子很长时间没有人穿了。
1.承担，接受（尤指艰巨工作或重大责任）
No other organisation was able or willing to take on the job.
没有任何别的组织有能力或愿意承担此项工作。
Don't take on more responsibilities than you can handle.
不要承担过多的责任。
I don't feel ready to take on new responsibilities.
我不愿意承担新的责任。
He is going to take on a new job next week.
他在下周要接受一份新的工作。
It is the last time I will take on this sort of work
这将是我最后一次干这种工作了。
She refused to take on the traditional woman's role.
她拒绝承担传统妇女的角色。
She takes on greater responsibilities when she is promoted.
她被提升后，承担了更大的责任。
The State fails to recognize the heavy responsibility that parents take on
政府没有认识到家长所承担的重大责任。
We can't take on any more work ─ we're fully stretched as it is.
我们不能再接受其他工作了——现在已经竭尽所能了。
Following in the footsteps of his teacher all those years ago, Mr Wang has now passed on his skills to the new members, who will take on many of the future repairs.
跟随多年前他的老师的脚步，王先生现在把他的技能传授给新成员，他们将承担未来的许多维修工作。（新外研版选择性必修三）
If women want to take on the business world they are welcome to it as far as I'm concerned.
就我而言，如果女人们想进军商界的话，就让她们去好了。
In some works, flowers take on a powerful emblematic quality.
在一些作品中，花具有强烈的象征意义。
She was plucked from the corps de ballet to take on Juliet
她从芭蕾舞团的伴舞队中被挖掘出来，担任朱丽叶这一角色。
2.呈现
The whole city takes on a holiday appearance.
整个城市呈现出假日的景象。
Her eyes took on a hurt expression.
她的眼睛流露出委屈的神情。
Believing he had only a year to live, his writing took on a feverish intensity.
由于以为自己只剩一年的活头，他的文字开始变得激情澎湃。
The party began to take on an unreal, almost nightmarish quality.
聚会开始呈现出虚幻、近乎梦魇般的气氛。
Empty houses quickly take on a forlorn look.
空无一人的房屋很快就显得凄凉。
After the serious flood, the city took on a new look.
严重的洪水过后，这个城市呈现出新的面貌。
The chameleon can take on the colours of its background.
变色龙可以变成周围环境的颜色。
This insect can take on the colour of its surroundings.
这种昆虫能随环境而变化其颜色。
From time to time he will take on a new persona.
他时常伪装自己。
3. (公共汽车、船舶等)上(客)，装(货)，补充(燃料)
This is a brief stop to take on passengers and water.
这是一次短暂停靠，上上客，加加水。
The driver refused to take on more passengers.
司机拒绝让更多的乘客上车。
4.雇用，录用
I am glad to tell you that we are going to take you on.
很高兴通知您，我们打算雇佣您了。
He's spoken to a publishing firm. They're going to take him on...
他和一家出版公司谈过了，他们打算雇用他。
Small builders cannot see their way clear to take on many trainees.
小建筑商认为不可能招收很多见习生。
The newly-built factory took on many workers recently.
这家新建的工厂最近雇用了许多工人。
They are not always willing to take on untrained workers, but there's no harm in asking.
他们并不总是乐意雇用未经培训的工人，但问问也无妨。
The party has been taking on staff, including temporary organisers.
这个政党一直在招募工作人员，包括临时的组织人员。
5. 与(尤指实力比自己强的人)较量;接受…的挑战
Democrats were reluctant to take on a president whose popularity ratings were historically high.
民主党人不愿与一位有史以来民众支持率最高的总统较量。
The world's most prestigious insurance company was last night squaring up to take on MPs who have accused it of being riddled with corruption.
世界上最负盛名的保险公司昨晚作出回应，要和那些指责其腐败泛滥的议员们较量一番。
Do you really think we can take on the big boys?
你真的认为我们能与大人物们抗衡？
I knew I couldn't take him on.
我清楚我斗不过他。
Will you take me on for a game of chess?
你愿意和我下棋吗？
He has been the trailblazer and given British sprinters the belief that we are able to take on and beat the world's best.
他一直是开路先锋，让英国短跑选手相信我们能与世界上最好的运动员一决高下，并且击败他们。
6. 擅自决定;自作主张
Knox had taken it on himself to choose the wine.
诺克斯擅自作主，选了葡萄酒。
