verb phrase · neutral
take on responsibility
UK/teɪk ɒn rɪˌspɒn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/US/teɪk ɑn rɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/take·on·re·spon·si·BIL·i·ty
to accept duties or obligations for a role or task
Examples
“When she became project manager she had to take on responsibility for the whole team.”
“Students who take on responsibility at school learn leadership skills.”
“It's normal to feel nervous the first time you take on responsibility in a new job.”
Band 8 sentence
“By taking on responsibility beyond her role, she demonstrated initiative and readiness for promotion.”
Collocations
- take on additional responsibility
- accept responsibility
- take full responsibility
Word family
Common mistakes
I take responsibility the project.→I take responsibility for the project.
I am taking on a responsibility.→I am taking on responsibility.
Say it for a higher band
5do the job→6take responsibility→7+take on responsibility
Synonyms
assume responsibility
shoulder responsibility
Easily confused
take responsibility
“He took responsibility for the mistake.”
accept responsibility
“She accepted responsibility for the error and apologised.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Work & Career
Learn it with its set