taking over the helm

USAGE SUMMARY

If the context is appropriate, "taking over the helm" can be a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example: After the unexpected resignation of the CEO, John took over the helm of the company and worked tirelessly to turn its fortunes around.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He edited the London Evening Standard's well-respected City pages between 2002 and 2011, before taking over the helm at the Independent, also now owned by Alexander Lebedev.

The Guardian

Mr. Jonathan was elected this year to a full term as president after taking over the helm from Umaru Yar'Adua, who was elected in 2007 but died in office.

The New York Times

Since taking over the helm of the NHS Confederation in February 2014, I've driven forward a strong focus with partners on the 2015 challenge, which brings to the fore the major issues we need to address.

The Guardian

Mr. Kerrey said, "He will be taking over the helm of the school at an important transition period as the school establishes its new artistic home at the Westbeth complex on Bank Street".

The New York Times - Arts

Earlier this week, Jimmy Fallon, the newly crowned king of American late-night TV comedy, was asked by reporters at the Television Critics Association to describe his feelings about taking over the helm of the legendary Tonight Show.

The Guardian

He said he had suffered a nervous breakdown and a loss of hearing since taking over the helm of the party, a partner in the governing coalition of Angela Merkel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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 "taking over the helm" when you want to convey the assumption of leadership or control, especially in a formal or metaphorical sense. It is particularly suitable when referring to succeeding someone in a prominent position.

Common error

Avoid using "taking over the helm" in literal nautical contexts unless you intend a metaphorical meaning. It's best reserved for describing transitions in leadership or control, not for describing someone physically steering a boat.

Linguistic Context

Taking over the helm functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of assuming control or leadership. This phrase is commonly used to describe a transition in a position of power or authority, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science & Research

3%

Unknown

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking over the helm" is a figurative expression denoting the act of assuming leadership or control. Typically found in news and business contexts, it conveys a sense of transition in authority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across varied sources. While semantically interchangeable alternatives exist—such as "assuming control" or "taking charge"—"taking over the helm" carries a specific metaphorical weight, suited for formal settings and significant leadership changes. Remember to reserve its usage for leadership transitions rather than literal nautical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming control

Focuses on the act of gaining control, omitting the nautical metaphor.

taking charge

Emphasizes the act of becoming responsible and in command.

stepping into the leadership role

Highlights the transition into a position of leadership.

assuming leadership

Directly states the act of taking on leadership responsibilities.

taking the reins

Uses a different metaphor (horse-riding) to convey a similar meaning of control.

inheriting the leadership

Suggests a transfer of leadership, often through succession.

coming into power

Implies gaining authority or influence.

securing the top position

Highlights achieving the highest rank or office.

assuming the directorship

Focuses on taking on the role of director.

taking the lead

Simple way of saying taking control.

FAQs

What does "taking over the helm" mean?

The phrase "taking over the helm" means assuming leadership or control of an organization, project, or situation. It implies stepping into a position of authority and responsibility, often succeeding someone else.

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

You can use alternatives like "assuming control", "taking charge", or "stepping into the leadership role" depending on the context.

Is "taking over the helm" a formal expression?

Yes, "taking over the helm" is generally considered a formal expression. It's more common in professional, news, or formal business contexts than in casual conversation.

How to use "taking over the helm" in a sentence?

You can use "taking over the helm" in a sentence like this: "After the CEO retired, the vice president "took over the leadership" of the company."