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

take a turn • take turns
take a turn—
1
. go for a short walk or ride: It was such a
nice day that we decided to take a turn through the park. 2.
do one’s share; engage in a short period of activity: There was
no wind so … each took a turn at operating the boat under
engine power.
take turns —do smth. in turn; alternate at regular intervals:
Since we took turns driving, we did not find the trip too tir-
ing.
take account of something • take an account of
something
take account of something —(also: take something into account)
take smth. into consideration (when making a decision):
Approval procedures should take account of the scientific qual-
ity of the project and the experience of the researcher.
take an account of something —estimate how many there are
of smth.: Immediately upon hearing of the circumstance of
the robbery, I took an account of the things that were miss-
ing.
take advantage of someone • take someone at
 advantage
take advantage of someone —outwit a person, especially
unfairly; make undue use of an advantage: “You have brought
me here under false pretences,” I cried. “You have taken cow-
ardly advantage of me.”
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase have the advantage of someone—(also: have an advan-
tage over someone) have a better position or opportunity than
another person: “You have the advantage of me in courtesy as
well as in years, sir,” I replied.
take someone at advantage—(dated) take a person by surprise:
The enemy effected a passage across the sierra, where a much
inferior force to his own might have taken him at advantage.
take after someone • take off after someone
take after someone —
1
. resemble a parent or ancestor in char-
acter or appearance: I take after my mother in looks, but peo-
ple say I’ve got my father’s character. 2. set out in pursuit of
a person: Victoria, enraged, ends up in the path of a bucket
of water and takes after the brutish men with a broom.
take off after someone —(also: take out after someone) = take
after someone 2: Claire took off after the robbers, screaming,
“Stop thief !” as loudly as she could.