take-on

(v) take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
- His voice took on a sad tone
- The story took a new turn
- he adopted an air of superiority
- She assumed strange manners
- The gods assume human or animal form in these fables
acquire, assume, adopt, take,
(v) take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
- When will the new President assume office?
assume, take over, adopt,
(v) accept as a challenge
- I'll tackle this difficult task
tackle, undertake,
(v) admit into a group or community
- accept students for graduate study
- We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
admit, accept, take,
(v) contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
- Princeton plays Yale this weekend
- Charlie likes to play Mary
encounter, meet, play,

acquire assume adopt take take over tackle undertake admit accept encounter meet play

take-in take in take to take-up take up

take one's lumps