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

take a place • take one’s place
take a place —
1
. occupy a proper or natural place: The chem-
ical element Germanium appears to take a place between anti-
take a count
– 312 –

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mony and bismuth. 2. seat oneself: Dvorah took a place in
the back of the courtroom, where she quietly recited scripture.
3. take up a job in a certain capacity: He condescended to
take a place as job coachman in a livery stable.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase take place— happen; occur: If an invasion took place
the Chinese might enter the war.
take one’s place —sit down in one’s allocated or chosen seat:
There was no applause when Dr. Werner took his place at the
podium.
take a seat • take one’s seat
take a seat—sit down; seat oneself: I took a seat in the back
row where I hoped my person and my note taking would go
unnoticed.
take one’s seat—
1
. sit down in one’s allocated or chosen seat:
Archbishop Elder entered the sanctuary and took his seat at
the altar. 2. (UK) assume one’s membership in the House of
Commons: Sir George Lynn, who was lately elected member
for Milcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase take one’s seat on the bench—
1
. (of a judge) take one’s
seat on the raised platform in the courtroom: When Lord Eldon
took his seat on the bench and saw the vacant place where for
years Romilly had pleaded before him, his eyes filled with
tears. 2. become a judge in a court of law: Bradley took his seat
on the bench in October of that year, but was forced to retire
a few weeks later by failing health.