take it upon oneself
Voluntarily accept duty
To take it upon oneself is to assume responsibility for something without being asked or assigned.
The phrase often carries a note of initiative or self-appointment, sometimes with approval She took it upon herself to organize the entire event and sometimes with implied criticism for overstepping He took it upon himself to speak for the whole group.
The construction requires a following infinitive indicating the action undertaken.
- shoulderUpper arm joint
- assumeAccept as true
- take chargeBegin leading a situation
- take the reinsBegin controlling a situation
- actDeed or performance
undertake · go the extra mile · presume · carry · volunteer · own initiative · initiate · decide · make it one's business · self-appointed · responsibility · personal responsibility · agency · accountability · rise · commit · obligate · bite the bullet