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The one I chose for today's column, "take on", appeared in the headline, "EU Commission takes on telecom giants".

Now let's look at how many meanings this phrasal verb can provide:

A. When public transportation such as ships, planes or buses take on passengers, goods or fuel, they stop in order to allow them to get on or to be loaded on.

The vessel made two stops during the trip to Madagascar, first to take on passengers and the other goods and fuel.

B. Something that takes on a new appearance or quality, develops that appearance or quality.

Ever since she went to personality training, Sarah has taken on an executive look.

C. When someone takes on a job or responsibility, they accept it.

Harry agreed to take on the new position even though he has to travel more; he said it was more challenging.

D. Also, if you take someone on, you employ them to do a job.

The new branch is getting very busy so I took two more shop assistants on.

E. And have you ever thought of taking on your competitor? In this context "to take on" means to fight or compete against someone, and so does the headline chosen for today's column, "EU Commission will compete with telecom giants".

Many new candidates have vowed to take on the old names from rival parties in the coming general election.

F. If you take something on or upon yourself, you do it without asking for permission or approval.

Stephen took the case upon himself because it was an urgent matter and there was no senior staff around he could pass the matter on to.

G. And the last one for today: to take something out on somebody; the meaning of this phrasal verb is not at all nice. It means to treat someone badly just because you are angry or upset, even though the person might not have done anything wrong.

Yes, it is upsetting that the traffic made you miss your flight, but it is not fair to take it out on us.

Identify which meaning of "take on" is used in each sentence:

1. What does Sue think about the weekend job then? - She took it on.

2. You cannot do all this work on your own; why don't you take on a secretary?

3. The bus will stop at Victory Monument to take on more passengers before heading to Khon Kean.

4. Poor dog! His owner was upset with his girlfriend but took it out on his pet.

5. Thai artists have taken on more and more Japanese comic styles.

6. The boy took it upon himself to take his injured sister to the hospital.

7. The coach is hoping that we will take on Victory High in the final.

Answers:        1. C, 2. D, 3. A, 4. G, 5. B, 6. F, 7. E

By Parnsap Yomanage