take up a collection
To request and receive money or goods of value from members of a group, especially for a charitable purpose.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We should take up a collection for his birthday gift.”
“The office staff decided to take up a collection to help their colleague pay for unexpected medical bills.”
“Following the tragic fire that destroyed the community center, the neighbors resolved to take up a collection to assist the displaced families with their immediate needs.”
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 04
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 05
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 06
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 07
have one's name taken
To receive a yellow card.
- 08
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
Last updated August 10, 2026