# take over from sb

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/take-over-from-sb
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to start doing a job or duty that someone else was doing before you.

For teachers: to assume control or responsibility for a task, role, or position previously held by another person.

## Examples

- I will take over from Sarah while she is on holiday.
- The new manager is ready to take over from the director when he retires next month.
- After the sudden resignation of the CEO, the chief financial officer had to take over from him during a period of intense market volatility.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will take over Sarah next week." but "I will take over from Sarah next week." — without 'from', the sentence might imply you are physically or forcefully replacing the person rather than succeeding them in a role.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by 'from' and the person who previously held the role.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'take over' used alone, which often implies a more forceful or business-oriented acquisition of control.

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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.