A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

take to one’s feet • take to one’s legs
take to one’s feet—
1
. (of an audience) rise to applaud, etc.:
That’s when the audience got in the act and took to their feet
to applaud. 2. go on foot; walk: As buses and trams were
abandoned or stood in long lines at blockades, the residents
of Belgrade took to their feet.
take to one’s legs —(also: take to one’s heels) retreat in flight;
run away: There was general confusion in the market and peo-
ple took to their legs leaving behind their goods.
take up the baton • take up the cudgel
take up the baton —
1
. conduct an orchestra: Although when
Barenboim first took up the baton there were some pianists
who occasionally conducted, it was generally frowned upon.
2. take control or responsibility for smth.: Initial tests showed
a decrease in noise levels…. The researchers then took up the
baton to develop a solution to a problem as old as the railway
itself.
take up the cudgel —(also: take up the cudgels) engage in a
vigorous struggle or debate: It was a movement that sent thou-
sands of conscientious objectors to take up the cudgel against
military hegemony.
take wing • wing it
take wing —
1
. (of birds) rise into the air; start flying: The
bird is remarkably swift on foot, and, though averse to flight,
capable of great speed when compelled to take wing. 2. (coll.)
disappear; vanish: I found a fellow who was in the same reg-
iment with him, and knew this Mrs. Glasher before she took
wing.
wing it—(sl.) speak or act without preparation: Mr. Trudeau
came without notes, choosing to wing it.
takeaway • takehome
takeaway —(of food) sold to be eaten away from its place of
sale (also: take-out): The market has many different types of
stalls selling takeaway food at a very reasonable price.
takehome —
1
. (of pay) final net pay after all deductions have
been made: He was not an officer, but with his extra duties,
and benefits, his takehome pay was much larger than mine.
2. is used of texts and exams to be done at home: I also use
my web site to post announcements to the class, and to receive
takehome tests. 3. (rare) = takeaway: It gets a little repetitious
having takehome food or frozen casseroles for dinner every
night.