take turns — to alternate doing something, with each person doing it one after another
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to alternate doing something, with each person doing it one after another
Pronunciation (IPA): /teɪk tɜːrnz/
Example Sentences
- The parents take turns getting up at night when the baby cries.
- My cat and dog take turns hogging the sunny spot on the carpet.
- The students take turns presenting their projects to the class.
take turns
VERB[/teɪk tɜːrnz/]
to alternate doing something, with each person doing it one after another
The kids take turns riding the wooden rocking horse at the park.
Take turns as each one learns, while the campfire burns!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English 'taken' (to grasp, seize) combined with 'turn' from Old French 'tourner' (to rotate, revolve). The phrase developed in English to mean alternating actions in sequence.
Breakdown
take (verb: to grasp, accept) + turns (noun: rotations, alternations) = take turns (to alternate doing something sequentially)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The parents take turns getting up at night when the baby cries.”
“My cat and dog take turns hogging the sunny spot on the carpet.”
“The students take turns presenting their projects to the class.”
“We take turns choosing the movie on Friday nights, but somehow it's always my turn to pick the popcorn flavor.”
📚Related Words
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