take over the helm

USAGE SUMMARY

'take over the helm' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate one person taking control or leadership of a situation, responsibility, or organization. Example sentence: "With the previous CEO retiring, the board of directors has chosen John to take over the helm at the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Yet they are echoing to the shouts of delegates from 134 countries scrapping over who should take over the helm of the World Trade Organisation.

The Economist

But if it falls to him to take over the helm, he will have to make difficult choices which, Italian history shows, will not be rewarded.

The Guardian

Bob Diamond, who is about to take over the helm at the bank, has for some time been one of Britain's highest-paid executives.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when asked by the N.A.A.C.P. board to take over the helm of the organization from an ailing Roy Wilkins, Mr. Hooks decided that that would be the more interesting and prestigious job.

The New York Times

Percy, with fellow gold medallist Andrew Simpson, then saw the boat's owner, Tottenham Hotspur director, Olympic Games deputy chairman and British America's Cup team boss Sir Keith Mills take over the helm of the 52-foot Origin.

Independent

Some Indians are pinning their hopes on the arrival of Raghuram Rajan, a highly regarded University of Chicago economics professor who is set to take over the helm of the Reserve Bank of India in September.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

AOL bought it in 2009 after Armstrong had taken over the helm of the New York-based Internet company.

The Guardian - Tech

Though hardly perfect, this "Ring" stands as Mr. Joel's principal accomplishment to date, but he has two more seasons to go before Stéphane Lissner, at present general manager and artistic director at La Scala, takes over the helm of the Opéra.

The New York Times - Arts

Steve Simon, who has recently taken over the helm at the Women's Tennis Association, rushed in line with the apology industry building up in Sharapova's cause when he called her "a woman of great integrity", adding the get-out clause, "nevertheless, as Maria acknowledged, it is every player's responsibility to know what they put in their body".

The Guardian - Sport

Currently the two share the co-chief operating officer title, but in May Parsons takes over the helm of the world's largest media company from retiring Chief Executive Officer Gerald Levin and Pittman becomes the No. 2 executive.

Forbes

Recently Sean has taken over the helm of the longest standing LGBT Bahá'i online site Gay/Lesbian Baha'i Story Project.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take over the helm" to denote a formal or significant transition in leadership, especially in organizations or projects with established structures.

Common error

Avoid using "take over the helm" when referring to temporary or informal leadership roles. It's best suited for permanent or significant transitions of power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take over the helm" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating the act of assuming control or leadership. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from organizational leadership to political transitions. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take over the helm" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe assuming control or leadership, particularly in a formal or significant capacity. As Ludwig AI notes, it's considered correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Business contexts. Related phrases include "assume leadership" and "take the reins". When using "take over the helm", ensure the context aligns with a substantial leadership transition. Avoid using it for temporary or informal roles. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility and broad applicability across various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume leadership

Implies stepping into a leadership position, often with a formal transfer of authority.

take the reins

Suggests gaining control or management, often in a situation requiring guidance.

assume control

Indicates gaining power or authority over something.

step into the leadership role

Formally entering a position of leadership.

take charge

Emphasizes assertiveness in assuming responsibility and control.

take the lead

Implies guiding or directing a group or project.

succeed to the position

Formal term for inheriting or following someone in a role.

become the head

Directly indicates assuming the top position.

inherit the leadership

Suggests receiving leadership as a legacy or inheritance.

rise to the top

Implies reaching a leadership position through advancement or promotion.

FAQs

What does "take over the helm" mean?

The expression "take over the helm" means to assume control or leadership of a situation, organization, or project, often implying a significant or formal transition.

What can I say instead of "take over the helm"?

You can use alternatives like "assume leadership", "take the reins", or "assume control", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "take over the helm" in informal situations?

While understandable, "take over the helm" is more suitable for formal or significant transitions. For informal situations, phrases like "take charge" might be more appropriate.

How is "take over the helm" different from "take over the reins"?

"Take over the helm" specifically implies taking control of a structured organization or initiative, while "take the reins" can also refer to gaining control in situations needing guidance or management. The former is also more strongly associated with nautical contexts.