take (someone's or something's) place

To substitute for someone or something; to stand in someone's or something's stead. It was decided that I would take my sister's place as the head of the company. Due to a scheduling conflict for the professor, the course on modernism has been canceled. I guess that course on 19th-century British Literature will have to take its place.

See also: place, take

take place

to happen. When will this party take place? It's taking place right now.

See also: place, take

take place

1. Happen, occur, as in Let me know where the ceremony will take place. [Second half of 1700s]

2. take the place of. Substitute for, as in These glasses will have to take the place of wine goblets, or Jane took her sister's place in line. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: place, take

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

take ˈplace

happen: The meeting will take place at eight o’clock. ♢ Some strange things had taken place in that old castle.

See also: place, take

take somebody’s ˈplace

take the place of somebody

do something which another person was doing before; replace somebody: Miss Jones has left the school and this term her place has been taken by Mr Carter. ♢ I was sick, so Bill took my place at the meeting.

See also: place, take

take your ˈplace

1 go to the physical position that is necessary for an activity: We all took our places round the table.
2 take or accept the status in society that is correct or that you deserve: He is ready now to take his place as one of the fastest swimmers in history.

See also: place, take

take place

To happen; occur.

See also: place, take

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also: