Take turns

Meaning

The idiom "take turns" refers to the act of alternating or sharing something or doing an activity together with someone else. It can also mean taking turns in a decision-making process or in the order of events that unfold. In contemporary language, the phrase "take turns" is often used in casual and formal situations, particularly when discussing tasks, responsibilities, or activities that require collaboration and cooperation among individuals or groups.

Usage

• We need to take turns driving on our long road trip.
• The children took turns doing their homework.
• In the group project, we decided to take turns presenting our ideas.
• We will take turns hosting the dinner party every week.
• The company's management team takes turns making decisions about new initiatives. The usage of "take turns" can vary depending on the context. For example, in a work setting, it may refer to dividing responsibilities and tasks among colleagues or rotating leadership positions. In a family setting, it may refer to sharing household chores or taking turns disciplining children.

Roots and History

The idiom "take turns" has its roots in the Middle English language, where it was used to mean "to alternate between two things." Over time, the phrase evolved to include activities that involved more than two people, such as sharing a task or taking part in a group decision-making process. In contemporary language, the phrase has become widely used across different contexts and cultures.

Synonyms in English

• Alternate
• Rotate
• Share
• Collaborate
• Divide

Synonyms in other languages

• French: Avoir le tour (alternate)
• German: Wechseln (switch)
• Spanish: Compartir (share)
• Italian: Rotare (rotate)
• Portuguese: Trocar (swap)

Similar Idioms

• the calm before the storm

• throw dust in eyes

• the benefit of the doubt