take charge
Seize the reins
To take charge is to assume control or responsibility for a situation, group, or task.
Someone who takes charge steps into a leadership role, often decisively: When the manager quit, Sarah took charge.
The phrase implies initiative and authority—you don't wait to be asked, you act: Take charge of your own health.
Acting before problems arise
- self-starterOne with initiative
- step upIncrease or advance
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- assertiveConfidently self-assured
bold · decisive · enterprising · go-getter · motivated · driven · ambitious · resourceful
Dense metal, symbol Pb
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- directUndeviating or to guide
- steerDirect movement or castrated bull
- guideLeader or instruction book
captain · spearhead · helm · head · pilot · shepherd · rally · mobilize
Authority to direct
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
governance · administration · custody · stewardship · jurisdiction · dominion · command · accountability
proactive
Acting before problems arise
- self-starterOne with initiative
- step upIncrease or advance
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
assertive · bold · decisive · enterprising · go-getter · motivated · driven · ambitious · resourceful · independent
lead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- directUndeviating or to guide
- steerDirect movement or castrated bull
guide · captain · spearhead · helm · head · pilot · shepherd · rally · mobilize · front
control
Authority to direct
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
supervision · governance · administration · custody · stewardship · jurisdiction · dominion · command · accountability · ownership
- Leadership idiomslead by example, at the helm, call the shots, run the show, head honcho
- leadership jargonempower, delegate, inspire, motivate, visionary
- leadership verbslead, command, direct, manage, supervise
- takeoverseize power, seizure, coup d'etat, power grab, usurp
- pep talkskeep going, you got this, hang in there, keep pushing, believe in yourself
- assertiveness tipsspeak up, stand firm, be bold, say no
take chargehang back
Remain behind others
sit back · stand by · do nothing · hold back · go with the flow
take chargeabdicate
Formally renounce authority
pass the buck · wash one's hands of · abandon · neglect · duck out
take, charge, taken, taking, overtake, takes, intake, undertaking, undertake