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take after: meaning and explanation

We use the phrasal verb to take after someone to say that we are similar to our mother or father (and other older family members, although this is less common).

The similarity can be physical e.g. He's very tall - he takes after his father.

It could also be related to personality e.g. I hope she doesn't take after her father - he wasn't a hardworking man.

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Listening exercises

Dictation #1

Accent: England (London)

, , .
my looks, I dad, personality similar mother's.
In terms my looks, I after my dad, my personality is similar to mother's.

About the sentence

...in terms of my looks...

The phrase in terms of + something is a very useful way to focus on one aspect of something. This is a great way to organise your ideas and structure your speaking. e.g. In terms of quality of life, Bristol is one of the best places to live in the UK.

Dictation #2

Accent: England (RP)

Dictation #3

Accent: Scotland

?
you – your mother ?
Who you take – your mother your ?

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