take somebody/something ↔ on phrasal verb ( see also ↑ take )
1 . take somebody ↔ on to start to employ someone ⇨ hire :
We’re taking on 50 new staff this year.
2 . take something ↔ on to agree to do some work or be responsible for something:
Don’t take on too much work – the extra cash isn’t worth it.
3 . take something ↔ on to begin to have a particular quality or appearance:
Her face took on a fierce expression.
His life had taken on a new dimension.
4 . take somebody ↔ on to compete against someone or start a fight with someone, especially someone bigger or better than you:
Nigeria will take on Argentina in the first round of the World Cup on Saturday.
He was prepared to take on anyone who laid a finger on us.
5 . take something ↔ on if a plane or ship takes on people or things, they come onto it:
We stopped to take on fuel.