take charge

take charge

To take responsibility, authority, or control over (someone or something), especially after having not done so initially. The manager had to take charge after the project failed to meet its initial deadline. Mary's going to take charge of the desk for the evening. I was unexpectedly asked to take charge of their children when they passed away.
See also: charge, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

take charge (of someone or something)

to take (over) control of someone or something. The president came in late and took charge of the meeting. When the new manager took charge, things really began to happen.
See also: charge, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

take charge

Assume control, command, or responsibility, as in I'll take charge of selling the tickets if you'll do the publicity, or They're not happy about the counselor who took charge of the children. [Late 1300s]
See also: charge, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

take ˈcharge (of something)

begin to have control or command: The Chief Inspector took charge of the investigations into the murder.
See also: charge, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

take charge

To assume control or command.
See also: charge, take
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • ball's in your court, the
  • the ball is in (one's) court
  • the ball is in court
  • the ball is in someone’s court
  • the ball is in someone's court
  • the ball is in your court
  • the ball is in your/somebody's court
  • at (one's) own peril
  • at your peril
  • bring to fruition
References in periodicals archive
Claim--With psychiatric patients there are contracts made to enable them to take charge of their health and made them responsible for the follow up.
The facilitator structures the message presenting a "claim" (the need that patients take charge of their health), "envisaged solutions" (a reference to previous suggestions already made), and "questioning" the participants to propose solutions to the problem.
Health, knowledge, and networked communication
To accomplish that, you should take charge and outline your own parameters and limitations as a candidate without being concerned that there will be any negative repercussions at all.
Take charge when a headhunter calls
WELSH referee Nigel Owens is still the favourite to take charge of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final despite being overlooked for a lastfour match at the weekend.
Owens still favourite for final
Two years ago Argentina's Horacio Elizondo became the first to take charge of the opening game and final of a World Cup.
REF ROB'S CHEERING A DOUBLE
The following week Clark and John Rowbotham take charge of UEFA cup-ties while in early September Young has been awarded the World Cup qualifier between Norway and Armenia.
Football: Big demand for Scots whistlers