The word take is used in a large number of phrasal verbs. The most common among them are given here.

Take up

To take something up is to start doing it as a new hobby.

He took up gardening after retiring from active employment.

She had a few hours to spare so she decided to take up music lessons.

Note that take up is a separable phrasal verb.

She took up violin lessons. OR She took violin lessons up.

Take out

To take something out is to remove it from your pocket, bag etc.

She took out her pen and started writing.

Take out is a separable phrasal verb.

To take somebody out is to take them to a place.

He took his wife and children out for dinner.

Take in

To take in is to understand and remember something you have heard or read.

I couldn’t take in his explanation.

Take after

To take after somebody is to resemble them.

He takes after his mother.

Take back

To take back something is to return it.

If you have finished reading that book, you should take it back to the library.

Take off

To take a piece of clothing off is to remove it.

In many cultures you have to take your shoes off before entering a house.

Take off is a separable phrasal verb.

Take on

To take on is to employ someone.

We are not taking on any new staff at the moment.

Take for

To take A for B is to wrongly assume that A is B.

Don’t take me for an idiot. (=Don’t assume that I am an idiot.)

I took her for her sister.