assume the position

assume the position

1. To take over the role and responsibilities of a particular job. My boss wants me to assume the position of treasurer this year, but I don't know if I want the extra workload.
2. A command issued by US law enforcement officers, meaning to stand with one's back to the officer and hold one's arms in a position to be either handcuffed or frisked. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I knew I was in trouble when they asked me out of the car, but I knew I was going to jail when they told me to assume the position.
See also: assume, position
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • position
  • be sleeping on the job
  • assume the mantle
  • warm body
  • wear too many hats
  • ordain
  • ordain (one) as (something)
  • pass the torch
  • take on too much
  • take too much on
References in periodicals archive
Yamaki will resign as representative director and executive vice president and assume the position of advisor He will resign as director and advisor effective the date of the next ordinary general meeting of shareholders, to be held in June 2012.
Laurence Francis Rooney III, a wealthy Florida businessman, was nominated in late July to assume the position of "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Holy See." If confirmed by the Senate, Rooney will replace James Nichols, a former Republican Party official now running the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Effective June 22, subject to approval at Sony Corporation's Ordinary General Shareholder's Meeting that day, the following new management team will lead the company: Sir Howard Stringer, currently chairman & CEO Sony Corporation of America, corporate executive officer, vice chairman, and COO, Sony Entertainment Business Group, will assume the position of chairman, group CEO and representative corporate executive officer, Sony Corporation.
Curtain will assume the position of marketing and promotions coordinator and will be accountable for the strategic development and execution of consumer sampling campaigns.
McCracken will assume the position of chairman of the board.
It is a great privilege, pleasure, and responsibility to assume the position of editor-in-chief of EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL, as it begins its 83rd year of publication.
As new growth starts in the spring, a side shoot or bud will take over the newly available sunlight from above and assume the position of new leader.
Noonan, deputy executive vice president, American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, assume the position of chair-elect and Michael E.
2 person in Washington for the Boston Globe, John Aloysius Farrell, will leave to assume the position of Washington-bureau chief for the Denver Post.
He served as a leasing and sales, specialist with Cushman & Wakefield, before- briefly leaving the firm to assume the position of senior vice president with CB Richard Ellis.
He will assume the position of president at Mount Royal College in Calgary.
Dale Henderson will assume the position of Senior Adviser.
Former President Bill Mehlenbeck will assume the position of chairman.
and demanding, "What are you doing here?" She saw them stop one elderly man after he left the polls and order him to "assume the position." Asked what he was doing, he tried to explain he had just voted (he was, in fact, wearing a button that said "I voted").
He will retain the title of executive editor and assume the position of vice chairman.