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Medium: Take on

Medium: Take on

Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. We have three different levels for you: easy, medium and hard.

This episode is medium so we’re looking at football words and phrases you need to describe what’s happening on the pitch or words and phrases fans and commentators on TV might use. There are lots of phrasal verbs to learn at this level.

Summary

Learn more football vocabulary with Premier Skills English. Each lesson in our Premier Vocabulary section looks at one football word or phrase. This lesson looks at the phrase take on

You can find more lessons on the side of this page.

Transcript

Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to Premier Skills English - Premier Vocabulary.

Jack: Hi there! I’m Jack. We’re here to help you with your football English. Premier Vocabulary is a mini-podcast for you to learn football English one word at a time. 

Rich: Don’t forget you can always find the transcript for all our podcasts on the Premier Skills English website. Premier Vocabulary has three different levels: easy, medium and hard.

Jack: This episode is medium so we’re looking at football words and phrases you need to describe what’s happening on the pitch or words and phrases fans and commentators on TV might use. There will be lots of phrasal verbs to learn at this level.


Rich: The phrase we are looking at in this episode is take on.

Jack: This episode is a little different because we wanted to say thank you to one of our listeners - Marco Zapien from Mexico.

Rich: We know that many of you have listened to lots and lots of our podcasts but last week Marco sent us an email and a picture.

Jack: It was an image from Spotify podcasts that told him that he had listened to 319 of our podcasts for a total of 7,275 minutes.

Rich: 7275 minutes. That’s 121.5 hours - over five days of listening to our podcast. 

Jack: In his email, Marco asked a question. He wanted to know when and how we can use the phrasal verbs take on and take up.

Rich: So as a thank you for listening we are going to look at these phrasal verbs in two episodes of Premier Vocabulary. In this episode, we are going to look at take on.


Jack: As we’ve said take on is a phrasal verb and it has a number of meanings. It can mean to employ somebody.

Rich: A company might take on new members of staff if it has lots of work and is very busy.

Jack: In the UK, shops and supermarkets often take on lots of temporary staff in November and December because ti’s a busy time of year.

Rich: It can also mean to accept responsibility for something that is usually work-related.

Jack: You might literally take on more responsibilities at work such as managing employees or being in charge of a specific area.

Rich: Or if you are very busy you might say that you can’t take anything else on at the moment when you are asked to do more work.

Jack: This means you are too busy and you can’t do any extra work. People who are self-employed might have to say this if they are very busy.

Rich: If you listen to our podcasts a lot you might have regularly heard another use of take on that we use to talk about football.

Jack: We might say Arsenal take on Chelsea this weekend or Manchester United take on Liverpool on Saturday.

Rich: Take on can also be used to mean compete against someone or challenge someone.

Jack: We’re saying that Arsenal are competing against Chelsea or Manchester United are challenging Liverpool on Saturday.

Rich: It’s more interesting than just saying playing against. It’s more connected to battle or fighting against.

Jack: There are also a few common collocations that we use with take on - we take on challenges, we take on tasks, we take on work, and we take on responsibilities.

Rich: I hope that helped Marco and everybody else that was listening.

Jack: We’ll have a look at take up next week.


Rich: There is the final whistle!

Jack: We’ll be back soon with more Premier Vocabulary from Premier Skills English.

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football. 

Comment

Discuss

What's the biggest challenge you've ever taken on?

Who are your team taking on this weekend?

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Comments

leosantana's picture
leosantana
28/08/2024
BR
46
points

tomorrow my team ''São Paulo FC'' from Brazil, will take on ''Atlético Mineiro''.
The biggest challenge for me is to change my career.


leosantana's picture
leosantana
28/08/2024 03:03
Brazil
Chelsea
46

tomorrow my team ''São Paulo FC'' from Brazil, will take on ''Atlético Mineiro''.
The biggest challenge for me is to change my career.

Michaelsun
20/03/2022
CN
738
points

I can’t remember which was the biggest challenge I have taken on because every issue we can find a way to resolve.


Michaelsun
20/03/2022 04:07
China
Manchester United
738

I can’t remember which was the biggest challenge I have taken on because every issue we can find a way to resolve.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
28/05/2021
BR
1512
points

I think marriage is the biggest (hahaha).
This weekend the "Brasileirão" will take launch. My team, Red Bull Bragantino, will debut away against Chapecoense.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
28/05/2021 17:50
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

I think marriage is the biggest (hahaha).
This weekend the "Brasileirão" will take launch. My team, Red Bull Bragantino, will debut away against Chapecoense.

Yigitcan's picture
Yigitcan
12/12/2020
AZ
48
points

Hi Rich, I have one question I am wondered.Why site has old player interviews, which is very useful for English?Can you post new ones please?


Yigitcan's picture
Yigitcan
12/12/2020 15:05
Azerbaijan
Leicester City
48

Hi Rich, I have one question I am wondered.Why site has old player interviews, which is very useful for English?Can you post new ones please?

Jack Radford's picture
Jack Radford
15/12/2020
GB
22
points

Hi Yigitcan

It's really difficult to get interviews with players as they are very busy. If we get the chance, we'll makes some more.

Thanks

Jack


Jack Radford's picture
Jack Radford
15/12/2020 11:50
United Kingdom
Arsenal
22

Hi Yigitcan

It's really difficult to get interviews with players as they are very busy. If we get the chance, we'll makes some more.

Thanks

Jack

Yigitcan's picture
Yigitcan
15/12/2020
AZ
48
points

Yes, they are very busy now, but you may post old interviews which is in 2015, 2016,2017 and 2018


Yigitcan's picture
Yigitcan
15/12/2020 18:45
Azerbaijan
Leicester City
48

Yes, they are very busy now, but you may post old interviews which is in 2015, 2016,2017 and 2018

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020
TR
6539
points

My team is taking on Manchester City this weekend in the derby day after the pain of knocking out from the Champions League.
I hope we bounce back very soon and be one of the contenders of the Premier League then.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020 09:57
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

My team is taking on Manchester City this weekend in the derby day after the pain of knocking out from the Champions League.
I hope we bounce back very soon and be one of the contenders of the Premier League then.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020
TR
6539
points

The biggest challenge I've ever taken on was taking the CELTA intensive course in one month and isolate myself away from my family and friends for four weeks.
It was one of my biggest achievements and experiences I've ever had throughout my life though.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020 09:55
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

The biggest challenge I've ever taken on was taking the CELTA intensive course in one month and isolate myself away from my family and friends for four weeks.
It was one of my biggest achievements and experiences I've ever had throughout my life though.

Yoshichika's picture
Yoshichika
10/12/2020
JP
76
points

My biggest challenge I took on was job-changing.
It was a big decision...


Yoshichika's picture
Yoshichika
10/12/2020 06:58
Japan
Liverpool
76

My biggest challenge I took on was job-changing.
It was a big decision...

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020
UA
6578
points

The next big challenge I've ever taken on is taking part in the activities on this amazing site. I've been posting my comments for 5 years, learnt a lot, and I'd like to thank heartily the PSL team, and my "opponents" in the competition for leadership: your participation has been great and much helpful.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020 02:13
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

The next big challenge I've ever taken on is taking part in the activities on this amazing site. I've been posting my comments for 5 years, learnt a lot, and I'd like to thank heartily the PSL team, and my "opponents" in the competition for leadership: your participation has been great and much helpful.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020
TR
6539
points

I do appreciate challenging you Alex and always wish you the best of luck in learning English and having fun :)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
11/12/2020 09:59
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I do appreciate challenging you Alex and always wish you the best of luck in learning English and having fun :)

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020
UA
6578
points

Sorry for the slip of the pen - the Premier Skills ENGLISH Team, especially Jack and Rich.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020 12:40
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

Sorry for the slip of the pen - the Premier Skills ENGLISH Team, especially Jack and Rich.

Rich's picture
Rich
10/12/2020
ES
594
points

It's great to have your support, Alex!


Rich's picture
Rich
10/12/2020 14:32
Spain
Liverpool
594

It's great to have your support, Alex!

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020
UA
6578
points

It's much greater to have such teachers, Rich, go on amazing us with your ingenious and informative podcasts!


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/12/2020 18:19
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

It's much greater to have such teachers, Rich, go on amazing us with your ingenious and informative podcasts!

Marco Zapien's picture
Marco Zapien
09/12/2020
MX
79
points

The greatest challenge I have ever take on was when I worked as a volunteer in a foundation, I was in charge of 25 kids and other 25 volunteers, fantastic experience though.

Thank you guys! I appreciate it.


Marco Zapien's picture
Marco Zapien
09/12/2020 18:00
Mexico
Wolverhampton Wanderers
79

The greatest challenge I have ever take on was when I worked as a volunteer in a foundation, I was in charge of 25 kids and other 25 volunteers, fantastic experience though.

Thank you guys! I appreciate it.

hsn's picture
hsn
09/12/2020
TR
5560
points

What's the biggest challenge you've ever taken on? I’ve taken on responsibility of repayment of defaulted loans by negotiating with borrowers. It was a very big amount of numbers and more than four hundred clients. It took fifteen months. Fortunately, ninety percent of amount collected and files closed.

Who are your team taking on this weekend? Tottenham take on Crystal Palaca this weekend.


hsn's picture
hsn
09/12/2020 16:33
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

What's the biggest challenge you've ever taken on? I’ve taken on responsibility of repayment of defaulted loans by negotiating with borrowers. It was a very big amount of numbers and more than four hundred clients. It took fifteen months. Fortunately, ninety percent of amount collected and files closed.

Who are your team taking on this weekend? Tottenham take on Crystal Palaca this weekend.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
09/12/2020
UA
6578
points

The Reds are taking on Fulham this weekend on their pitch. My prediction is 1 : 4 with two Jota's goals, and Mane and Firmino one each.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
09/12/2020 13:32
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

The Reds are taking on Fulham this weekend on their pitch. My prediction is 1 : 4 with two Jota's goals, and Mane and Firmino one each.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
09/12/2020
UA
6578
points

The biggest challenge I've ever taken on was a swim for a 5 km distance on the nearby lake with a turn back after 2.5 km and a short break. I took on this challenge thrice. Last time - this year.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
09/12/2020 13:29
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

The biggest challenge I've ever taken on was a swim for a 5 km distance on the nearby lake with a turn back after 2.5 km and a short break. I took on this challenge thrice. Last time - this year.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5560
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74679
2Ukraine33892
3Spain29525
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23661
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20460
8Turkey20111
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United147000
2Liverpool111527
3Chelsea90265
4Arsenal86299
5Manchester City58957
6Tottenham Hotspur19506
7Newcastle United10626
8West Ham United7701
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Crystal Palace4568

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Learn more football vocabulary.