(a) (infml 口) become fashionable or popular 流行; 时髦; 受欢迎
*The idea never really took on. 这一观念一向不太得人心.
(b) (used with an adv 与副词连用) (dated infml 旧, 口) become upset or agitated 烦乱; 不安; 烦恼; 激动
*Don't take on so! 别这么激动! take on sth (no passive 不用于被动语态) begin to have (a particular quality, appearance, etc); assume sth 呈现（某种性质、样子等）; 装成某事物
*He's taken on some irritating mannerisms. 他新添了些讨人嫌的怪毛病.
* The chameleon can take on the colours of its background. 避役可将身体颜色变得与周围环境相同.
* Her eyes took on a hurt expression. 她的眼里流露出受委屈的神情. take sb on
(a) employ sb; engage sb 雇用某人; 聘用某人
*take on new staff 雇用新员工
* She was taken on as a graduate trainee. 她应聘为新毕业的实习生.(b) accept sb as one's opponent in a game, etc; tackle sb 同意与某人比赛; 对付某人
*take sb on at snooker, squash, tennis, etc 与某人比赛彩色台球、壁球、网球等
* Ajax will take on Juventus in this year's European Cup Final. 在今年的欧洲杯足球决赛中阿贾克斯队将与尤文图斯队比赛. take sb/sth on (of a bus, plane, ship, etc) allow sb/sth to enter; take sb/sth on board （指公共汽车、飞机、轮船等）许可某人搭乘, 许可装载某物
*The bus stopped to take on more passengers. 公共汽车停下让乘客上车.
* The ship took on more fuel at Freetown. 轮船在弗里敦加燃料. take sth on decide to do sth; undertake sth 决定做某事; 承担某事
*take on extra work 承担额外工作
* She took on greater responsibilities when she was promoted. 她得到提升, 担负了更大的责任.
* Don't take on more than you can cope with. 要量力而行.