take time

idiom

1
: to need or require time to happen or be done
You have to be patient. Things like this take time.
It may take some time for the medication to wear off.
The meeting won't take too much time.
This job is easy and will take no time at all.
2
or take the time : to use an amount of time in order to do something important
They never took the time to get to know her.
I took some time to think about it, and my answer is still "no."

Examples of take time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Building up defense industry capacity will take time and so Europe will probably continue to rely on imports for the bulk of its military needs in the short term. Anna Cooban, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025 While these changes take time, the company is operating in what’s turned into a tougher environment day-to-day. Evan Clark, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025 That’s understandable, as complex prenups take time. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 Overhauling his swing will take time and reps that might be hard to come by in Los Angeles. Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take time

Cite this Entry

“Take time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20time. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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