take a pile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a pile" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be used informally to refer to taking a large amount of something, but the context is unclear without additional information. Example: "If you want to succeed in this project, you need to take a pile of notes during the meeting."

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"They can take a pile of e-mails and they can give those e-mails to someone else".

The New Yorker

Although he had to take a pile of drugs to reduce the chance of a recurrence, he got his strength back.

The New Yorker

He will take a pile of angry Trump tweets and off-color remarks and shape them into something mainstream conservatives can recognize and work with.

The Guardian - Opinion

Take a pile of your unwanted paperbacks to donate, and the store will route them to the Books Through Bars program, which provides books to prisons throughout the country.

The New York Times

A computer vision system can take a pile of cat photographs and "learn" to recognize cats.

Forbes

You could take a pile of money out of the market and sock it into bonds or CDs.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

With time pressing, Braun took a pile of tapes home.

The New York Times - Magazine

We also took a pile of Japanese-themed books, some new, most not.

The New York Times - Travel

For example, you'd certainly agree that a person is capable of taking a pile of wood and nails and constructing a building out of it.

Cornell University

Packaged foods are an easy target, often so gunked up by chemicals that it takes a pile of salt to get any flavor at all.

The New York Times

I asked him this week if he would be taking a pile of books to jail to while away the time; he said prisoners were allowed only scriptures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a pile", ensure the context makes it clear what the "pile" consists of. For example, specify "take a pile of books" instead of just "take a pile" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "take a pile" without specifying what constitutes the "pile". This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a pile" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of acquiring or obtaining a noticeable quantity of something. Ludwig AI suggests, while acceptable, its usage should be context-dependent to avoid ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

20%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a pile" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of acquiring a considerable amount of something. While Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, it is important to ensure that the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Its formality is neutral to informal, making it suitable for everyday conversations and news reports, but perhaps less appropriate for formal academic writing. Alternatives such as "acquire a quantity" or "collect a batch" may be preferred in more formal contexts. Always specify what constitutes the "pile" to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grab a stack

Replaces "take" with "grab" and "pile" with "stack", implying a quicker, more casual action of acquiring a quantity.

acquire a load

Substitutes "take a pile" with "acquire a load", suggesting a more substantial amount is being obtained.

amass a collection

Changes the focus to gathering items over time, rather than a single action of taking.

gather a quantity

Replaces "pile" with the more formal "quantity", suggesting a measured or specific amount is being collected.

accumulate a hoard

Implies a larger, often hidden, collection is being gathered, changing the overall connotation.

collect a batch

Suggests a group of similar items is being gathered at once, shifting the focus slightly.

secure a volume

Replaces with more formal synonyms, making it sound more professional.

extract a portion

Suggests the removal of part of something, rather than acquiring a full amount.

attain a supply

Focuses on getting what is needed for some process.

procure an inventory

Indicates acquiring items for a more specific purpose, such as business operations.

FAQs

How can I use "take a pile" in a sentence?

You can use "take a pile" to indicate acquiring a significant quantity of something. For example, "He decided to "take a pile" of documents home to review over the weekend."

What's a more formal alternative to "take a pile"?

More formal alternatives to "take a pile" include "acquire a quantity" or "procure an inventory", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always appropriate to use "take a pile" in writing?

While "take a pile" is acceptable, it is generally considered informal. In more formal or professional writing, consider using a more precise and descriptive alternative.

What does "take a pile" imply about the quantity being taken?

"Take a pile" suggests a substantial, but not necessarily precisely measured, quantity is being taken. The size and nature of the "pile" can vary depending on the context.