What Does “Take sth up with sb” Mean?
“Take something up with somebody” means to discuss or raise a problem, question, or issue directly with a person who can help or resolve it.
Introduction
The phrase “Take sth up with sb” is a common English phrasal verb used when someone wants to address a concern or complaint with another person, usually someone in authority or responsible for the matter. Understanding the Take sth up with sb meaning helps learners communicate more effectively, especially in formal or workplace situations. It implies bringing up an issue for discussion or resolution rather than ignoring it.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take something up with somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Meaning: To discuss a problem or issue with someone who can help
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take sth up with sb” is a separable phrasal verb. The object (something) can come between “take” and “up” or after “up.”
- Take something up with somebody
- Take up something with somebody
Example: “I will take the matter up with my manager.” / “I will take up the matter with my manager.”
How to Use Take sth up with sb?
Use this phrase when you want to say that you will talk to someone about a problem or issue. Usually, the person you “take it up with” has the power to solve the problem or give an answer. This phrase is common in workplaces, schools, or any situation where you need to address concerns formally.
Examples
Imagine you have a problem with your internet service. You might say:
- “I will take this issue up with the customer service team.”
- “If you’re unhappy with the results, you should take it up with the supervisor.”
- “She decided to take the complaint up with the HR department.”
- “We need to take the delay up with the delivery company.”
- “He took up the pricing problem with the sales manager.”
These examples show how “Take sth up with sb in a sentence” can be used to describe addressing a problem or concern.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the placement of the object or omit the person they are addressing. For example:
- Incorrect: “I will take up with the manager.”
- Correct: “I will take it up with the manager.”
- Incorrect: “She took up complaint.”
- Correct: “She took up the complaint with HR.”
Always include the object (something) and the person (somebody) to make the sentence clear.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “bring up” and “raise.”
- Bring up: To mention a topic in conversation, not necessarily to solve a problem.
- Raise: To formally mention or introduce a topic or issue.
- Take up with: Specifically to discuss a problem with someone who can act on it.
For example, you “bring up” a topic in a meeting, but you “take it up with” a manager to get it resolved.
Common Collocations
When using “Take sth up with sb,” certain objects often appear. Here are some common collocations:
- Complaint: A formal expression of dissatisfaction
- Issue: A problem or matter that needs attention
- Problem: Something that causes difficulty or concern
- Matter: A subject or situation under consideration
- Concern: A worry or anxiety to be addressed
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take sth up with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using the phrase:
Anna: The new software is causing errors in our reports.
Ben: You should take that up with the IT department.
Anna: Yes, I will contact them today.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- a) I will take up the problem the manager with.
- b) I will take the problem up with the manager.
- c) I will take with the manager up the problem.
Answer: b) I will take the problem up with the manager.
FAQ
- Q: Can I say “take up with” without an object?
A: No, you need to include what you are taking up (e.g., a problem, issue). - Q: Is “take sth up with sb” formal?
A: It is suitable for both formal and informal situations. - Q: Can I use “take it up with” for personal problems?
A: Yes, if you are discussing the problem with someone who can help. - Q: What’s the difference between “take up with” and “bring up”?
A: “Take up with” means discussing a problem with someone responsible; “bring up” means mentioning a topic. - Q: Is the object always placed between “take” and “up”?
A: No, the object can come before or after “up.”
