take on a new challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

"take on a new challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it almost any time you want to refer to accepting a task or goal that requires effort and a new approach. For example, "After graduating from college, I decided to take on a new challenge and moved abroad to start my own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

When you get to know the work of certain actors, you look forward to seeing them take on a new challenge -- and Woolf is one towering challenge.

Huffington Post

That I now, after 14 years, take on a new challenge will change nothing.

Independent

"Yet there was a burning desire on his part to take on a new challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

"His motivation was to take on a new challenge within a smaller team environment.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Camp said it was time "to take on a new challenge".

The New York Times

I even resolved, after Rosh Hashanah, to take on a new challenge for the new year: a Linzer torte.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"I'm interested in taking on a new challenge".

The New York Times

In January he took on a new challenge as the campus's first energy manager.

University of California, Berkeley

In May, he took on a new challenge, becoming athletic director at Northwestern University.

The New York Times - Sports

Google is taking on a new challenge in mapping — creating real-time, personalized maps for everyone on the planet.

The New York Times

In fact, she is making the most of her ninth decade by taking on a new challenge – her first restaurant.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take on a new challenge" when you want to express willingness and enthusiasm for facing something difficult and unfamiliar. For example: "After mastering the basics of coding, she decided to take on a new challenge by building a complex application."

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "take on a new challenge" repeatedly in formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "pursue an innovative goal" or "embark on an ambitious endeavor" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on a new challenge" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of willingly accepting a difficult or novel task. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct phrase suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on a new challenge" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression signifying a willingness to accept a difficult or novel task. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, it's advisable to use stronger alternatives in extremely formal documents. When looking to express your intention to grow and overcome obstacles, this phrase serves as a great option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embark on an ambitious endeavor

"Endeavor" suggests a significant undertaking, emphasizing its scale and scope.

tackle a demanding project

"Tackle" suggests a more hands-on, problem-solving approach, while "demanding" stresses the level of effort required.

accept a fresh opportunity

Replaces "challenge" with the less daunting "opportunity", implying a potentially easier undertaking.

embrace a novel task

"Embrace" suggests a more enthusiastic approach, while "task" is a more concrete term than "challenge".

undertake a different venture

"Venture" implies risk and uncertainty, adding a layer of complexity not necessarily present in a simple "challenge".

pursue an innovative goal

Highlights the forward-thinking aspect, emphasizing innovation over simply overcoming difficulty.

confront a complex situation

Shifts the focus to dealing with a multifaceted problem, rather than a self-imposed objective.

grapple with a thorny issue

"Grapple" implies a struggle, while "thorny" suggests the issue is particularly difficult or unpleasant.

venture into uncharted territory

Implies exploration and a lack of precedent, suggesting a higher degree of risk and uncertainty.

rise to a unique occasion

Focuses on responding effectively to a specific, important event that demands a high level of performance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take on a new challenge" to sound more formal?

In formal settings, consider alternatives like "undertake a new venture", "embark on an ambitious endeavor", or "pursue an innovative goal" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "take on a new challenge" in a cover letter?

Yes, it's acceptable, but using stronger synonyms might make you stand out. For example, you could say you are "eager to embrace a novel task" or "prepared to tackle a demanding project" to showcase your enthusiasm and skills.

What does it mean to "take on a new challenge"?

To "take on a new challenge" means to accept or volunteer for a task or situation that is difficult, unfamiliar, and requires effort to overcome. It implies a willingness to step outside one's comfort zone and learn or grow.

How does "take on a new challenge" differ from "accept a new responsibility"?

"Take on a new challenge" emphasizes the difficulty and novelty of the task, while "accept a new responsibility" focuses on the duty and accountability involved. A challenge implies a test of skill, whereas a responsibility implies a duty or obligation.