English idiom

take root

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to become firmly established and begin to develop

Why this phrase?

An idea or practice is compared to a plant putting roots into the soil.

Example

“The custom took root in the town and soon spread across the region.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

come to mind

to appear in one's thoughts or memory

food for thought

an idea or piece of information worth thinking carefully about

word of mouth

recommendations spread informally from person to person

(take) a step back/further

to pause and reconsider a situation (step back), or develop an idea or action beyond its current point (step further)

bear fruit

to produce a successful or useful result

come of age

to reach adulthood or become fully developed and established

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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