Take the initiative
Begin a task or plan of action, as in The boss was on vacation when they ran out of materials, so Julie took the initiative and ordered more. This term uses initiative in the sense of “the power to originate something,” a usage dating from the late 1700s.
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- Take the liberty of
Act on one’s own authority without permission from another, as in I took the liberty of forwarding the mail to his summer address . It is also put as take the liberty to , as in He took the liberty to address the Governor by her first name . This rather formal locution was first […]
- Take the load off
Sit down, relax, as in I wish you’d take some time and take the load off. A shortening of take the load off one’s feet, this colloquial phrase dates from about 1940. It is sometimes put as take a load off.
- Take the money and run
take the heat
- Take the pipe
take the heat off
- Take the pulse of
Also, feel the pulse of. Try to determine the intentions or sentiments of a person or group, as in These exit polls allegedly take the pulse of the voters, but I don’t believe they’re very meaningful. [ First half of 1600s ]