take root

idiomatic phrase

1

of a plant : to grow and develop roots : to become rooted

… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.

—Mary K. Miller

2

: to become fixed or established

… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.

—Greg Grandin

A monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of take root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These rituals also help to ensure that emotional dissonance doesn’t take root and that both partners stay connected on a deeper level. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025

That also means a slow-growing anxiety takes root, particularly for the observant Ella, and becomes nearly impossible to shake, no matter how much fun the family might experience in giddy bursts. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025

The city's program to turn some empty commercial buildings into housing has taken root and could have the dual effect of increasing residential inventory and lessening open office space. —Mike Deehan, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025

By ensuring that the leadership team is aligned and accountable, the CEO sets the stage for the new way of working to take root across the organization. —Karl Moore, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1