# take care of sb/sth/yourself

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/take-care-of-sb-sth-yourself
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to look after someone or something so they stay safe, healthy, or in good condition; you also use it when you deal with a task.

For teachers: to provide for the needs of a person or thing; to assume responsibility for the maintenance or completion of a task or situation.

## Examples

- Please take care of yourself while you are traveling.
- I need to take care of these bills before we go out for dinner.
- The local community took care of the historic garden for decades, ensuring that the rare plants survived several harsh winters.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will take care for the cat." but "I will take care of the cat." — the preposition 'of' is required after 'care' in this specific phrasal verb construction.

## Usage notes

- the object can be a person, an animal, a physical object, or a responsibility.
- Teaching tip: highlight the three distinct uses: physical care (babies), maintenance (cars), and task management (paying bills); it is more common in American English than 'look after'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.