take turns
idiomatic phrase
variants
also British take it in turns
: to do something one after another in regular succession in order to share the responsibility or opportunity of doing it : alternate
We take turns washing the dishes.
Almost immediately, Rick and Diane begin videotaping their classroom lessons, letting their students take turns with the cameras.—
Ann Bradley
Ann BradleySeveral youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.—Christopher Isherwood
Christopher IsherwoodExamples of take turns in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tibisay had Alzheimer’s and no family in town, so the neighbors took turns caring for her.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
In recent footage, several playful humpbacks take turns approaching a small boat carrying a curious Fin.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Nine episodes of season 51 have already aired, as Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, Glen Powell, Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor and Ariana Grande all took turns in the leading role.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Each artist takes turns, round-robin style, singing the verses, while David Foster plays piano.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take turns
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
In recent footage, several playful humpbacks take turns approaching a small boat carrying a curious Fin.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
Nine episodes of season 51 have already aired, as Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, Glen Powell, Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor and Ariana Grande all took turns in the leading role.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Each artist takes turns, round-robin style, singing the verses, while David Foster plays piano.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for take turns
Cite this Entry
“Take turns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20turns. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
