took charge
Seized the reins
Took charge is the past tense of take charge, meaning to assume control or responsibility for a situation.
Someone who took charge stepped forward to lead when leadership was needed: When the manager quit, Sarah took charge.
The phrase implies decisive action and authority, often in circumstances where direction was lacking or uncertain.
- assumedTaken as true
- seizedTook suddenly, forcefully
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- power grabAttempt to seize control
- ralliedRecovered or assembled
command · lead · usurpation · intervene · stepped up · manage · authority · directed · ran the show · oversee · govern · preside · control · mobilize · supervise · guide · boss · team leader
took chargedeferred
Set aside until later
took a back seat · submitted · yielded · acquiesced · stood by
took chargepassed the buck
Transferred accountability elsewhere
ducked out · backed away · disengaged · checked out · abandoned
took chargetook orders
Followed another's instructions
obeyed · fell in line · complied · answered to · kowtowed
take, charge, taken, taking, overtake, takes, took, undertake, retake