take a leaf from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a leaf from" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to learn or take inspiration from someone or something. Example: "If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, take a leaf from Steve Jobs and focus on innovation and customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Maybe Nakatonbetsu should take a leaf from their book.

The Guardian - Books

McMahon should instead take a leaf from Arsene Wenger's book.

Independent

Microlenders should, however, take a leaf from Grameen's playbook.

The New York Times

Perhaps the answer is to take a leaf from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

I advise Jeremy Hunt and David Cameron to take a leaf from his book.

The Guardian

Brussels should take a leaf from the IMF, which has also had skeleton trouble.

The Economist

As well as criticising him, Republicans might also quietly take a leaf from his book.

The Economist

They may take a leaf from the manual of Palestinian Islamic groups.

The Economist

But the new Speaker can also take a leaf from the Lord Speaker's book across the way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly, in an ideal world, I'd take a leaf from Delia's book and cook the prawns myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He appeared to be taking a leaf from Bill Clinton's book.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a leaf from", ensure the subject you are referencing is widely known or easily understood by your audience. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid incorrectly attributing the source of inspiration. Double-check your facts to ensure you're accurately referencing the person, book, or entity from which you're suggesting someone "take a leaf from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a leaf from" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest that one should learn from or imitate someone else's successful actions or methods. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct phrase commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a leaf from" is a common and correct idiomatic expression meaning to imitate or learn from someone's successful actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across different contexts. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "emulate" or "adopt the approach of" may be preferable in certain settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its widespread use in commentary and reporting. Remember to accurately attribute your sources to avoid misrepresenting where the inspiration comes from.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a page from

Very similar idiom to "take a leaf from", with a slight variation in wording.

follow the example of

Emphasizes adherence to a specific model or precedent; more formal.

adopt the approach of

Highlights a conscious decision to use a specific method or strategy; more descriptive.

draw inspiration from

Focuses on being creatively influenced by something; emphasizes the motivational aspect.

follow suit

Suggests doing the same thing as someone else, often in response to an action; more concise.

get inspired by

Stresses the inspirational aspect of the original source.

learn from

Focuses on gaining knowledge or skills through observation and experience.

emulate

Implies striving to equal or surpass someone's achievements through imitation; more formal.

mirror

Suggests a direct and often exact imitation; can imply a lack of originality.

copy

Implies a less creative and more direct reproduction; can be seen negatively.

FAQs

How can I use "take a leaf from" in a sentence?

You can use "take a leaf from" to suggest that someone should learn from or imitate a successful strategy or behavior. For example, "The company should "take a leaf from" its competitor's marketing strategy."

What does "take a leaf from" mean?

"Take a leaf from" means to imitate or adopt a particular quality, method, or style from someone or something, often to improve one's own situation. It suggests learning from a successful example.

What can I say instead of "take a leaf from"?

Alternatives to "take a leaf from" include "emulate", "follow suit", or "adopt the approach of", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "take a leaf from" in formal writing?

While "take a leaf from" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for neutral to informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct and professional alternatives like "adopt the approach of" or "follow the example of".