take a stone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a stone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed to pick up or grab a stone, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "If you want to build a strong foundation, you should take a stone from the pile over there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"They may not appreciate, until it's demonstrated, the technology used to take a stone and turn it into a spear point.

The New York Times

"I can take a stone back there and cut without causing much noise".

Los Angeles Times

Every day I take a stone out and make a wish".

Huffington Post

If someone is certain that he has not sinned, let him take a stone and hit her.

Wikipedia

As people were rushing by on their way to work, school, or the store, they would stop and read the little sign, and then they would smile, reach down, and take a stone out of the bowl or place one in.

Huffington Post

Take a stone from somewhere near the tree.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

One walk involved taking a stone from Aldeburgh beach in Suffolk and leaving it on Aberystwyth beach in Wales.

The Guardian - Arts

"I took a stone with me and returned it when I got back, so he's been round twice now".

The Guardian

He tapped on the keyboard and Eve took a stone, rubbed it on another stone, made a sharp stone, and used the sharp stone to carve out a bowl.

The New Yorker

While that sounds a lot like flag-wrapped, and probably effective, pre-campaign politicking, the raid leading to Bin Laden's death takes a stone off the country's heart.

The New York Times

Joss tells Mary how he took a stone and "smashed in" the face of a woman who was holding her child and begging for his assistance, and then "watched them drown in four feet of water".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a stone" in creative writing, consider the symbolic meaning of the stone itself. Is it a symbol of hardship, resilience, or something else? Tailor the surrounding language to enhance this symbolism.

Common error

Avoid using "take a stone" literally when a metaphorical meaning is intended without providing sufficient context. Ensure the reader can understand whether you mean physically grabbing a stone or using the phrase figuratively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a stone" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the action of picking up or choosing a stone. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, it can be used literally, indicating the physical act of grasping a stone, or metaphorically, symbolizing an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a stone" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase that can be used both literally and metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English. While not overly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, wikis, and formal business documents. Its usage ranges from describing the simple action of picking up a stone to symbolizing a significant decision or action. When employing this phrase, consider the symbolic weight of the stone and ensure the context clearly conveys your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pick up a stone

Focuses on the action of selecting and lifting a stone, emphasizing the physical aspect of choosing one from many.

grab a stone

Suggests a quick and decisive action of seizing a stone, implying immediacy and purpose.

select a stone

Highlights the deliberate choice of a stone, emphasizing the decision-making process involved.

remove a stone

Indicates the act of taking a stone away from a specific location, implying a change in arrangement or structure.

extract a stone

Emphasizes the effort required to take a stone, suggesting it might be embedded or difficult to access.

gather stones

Refers to collecting multiple stones, shifting the focus from a single item to a collection.

fetch a stone

Implies going to get a stone from another place, suggesting a retrieval action.

acquire a stone

Suggests obtaining a stone through purchase or trade, focusing on ownership.

obtain a stone

Focuses on the process of gaining possession of a stone, regardless of the method.

secure a stone

Implies making sure to get a stone, emphasizing the importance of having it.

FAQs

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

You can use "take a stone" in sentences like, "Every day I "take a stone" out and make a wish" or "If someone is certain that he has not sinned, let him "take a stone" and hit her."

What does it mean to "take a stone" from someone's heart?

Metaphorically, to "take a stone" from someone's heart means to relieve them of a burden or source of stress. The imagery suggests a heavy weight being lifted, bringing comfort or relief.

Is there a similar expression to "take a stone" to signify removing a burden?

Yes, the expression "lift a weight" is similar to ""take a stone"" when referring to relieving someone of a burden. Both phrases convey the idea of alleviating a heavy emotional or psychological load.

Can "take a stone" be used in a negative context?

Yes, ""take a stone"" can be used in a negative context when referring to aggression or violence, such as "He "took a stone" and smashed the window."