[take on] vt (15c) 1 a: to begin to perform or deal with: undertake "took on new responsibilities" b: to contend with as an opponent "took on the neighborhood bully"
2: engage, hire 3 a: to assume or acquire as or as if one's own "the city's plaza takes on a carnival air --W. T. LeViness" b: to have as a mathematical domain or range "what values does the function take on" ~ vi: to show one's feelings esp. of grief or anger in a demonstrative way "they cried and took on something terrible --Bob Hope"