take turns

idiomatic phrase

variants also British take it in turns

: to do something one after another in regular succession in order to share the responsibility or opportunity of doing it : alternate

We take turns washing the dishes.

Almost immediately, Rick and Diane begin videotaping their classroom lessons, letting their students take turns with the cameras.

—Ann Bradley

Several youths were around the phone, taking it in turns to gossip and joke with the operator.

—Christopher Isherwood

Examples of take turns in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The summit included crypto company executives, cabinet officials and lawmakers, many of whom took turns raving about Trump’s leadership on digital assets. —Alan Suderman, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

One refrain in the women’s complaints is that the brothers often took turns assaulting them while the others watched or pinned them down. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed at the 2025 Academy Awards, where the Wicked co-stars took turns paying tribute to iconic songs from the film’s roots. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2025

Paul and Jane each take turns wearing bold, bright-colored summer dresses that are a statement, yet still suitable for the boardroom. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take turns

• holofernes
• overturns
• subalterns
• adjourns
• concerns
• discerns
• downturns
• internes
• nocturnes
• returns
• sideburns
• churns