take on

take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect

• “His voice took on a sad tone”
• “The story took a new turn”
• “he adopted an air of superiority”
• “She assumed strange manners”
• “The gods assume human or animal form in these fables”

take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities

• “When will the new President assume office?”

accept as a challenge

• “I”

admit into a group or community

• “accept students for graduate study”
• “We”

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

• “Princeton plays Yale this weekend”
• “Charlie likes to play Mary”