took a charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "took a charge" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as sports, particularly basketball, where a player takes a hit from an opposing player to draw a foul. Example: "During the game, he bravely took a charge, helping his team gain possession of the ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the period a year earlier, when it also took a charge for restructuring, the company had a net loss of $142 million, or 17 cents a share.

The New York Times

That contrasts with a loss of almost $2 billion, or $18.52 a share, a year earlier, when the company took a charge of $2.2 billion for the declining value of its assets.

The New York Times - Tech

He took a charge.

The New Yorker

He added: "[Diego] took a charge from behind.

Independent

No one cares about someone who took a charge".

The New York Times - Magazine

Murphy took a charge, had a block and altered several shots in the paint.

The New York Times - Sports

Barclays also took a charge against the value of its own debt.

The New York Times

The company also took a charge of $8.3 billion for now-worthless tax credits.

The New York Times

Sony took a charge of 13.1 billion yen during the quarter for the recall.

The New York Times

Collins scored 14 points, took a charge, had one key block and grabbed 4 rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

The company took a charge of $1.15 a share for the restructuring in the first quarter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports writing, use "took a charge" to vividly describe a player's defensive maneuver. Provide context, like the score and time left, to highlight the play's importance.

Common error

Avoid using "took a charge" to describe regular or recurring expenses. This phrase implies a one-time adjustment, not a continuous cost. For regular costs, use terms like "incurred expenses" or "operational costs."

Linguistic Context

Took a charge functions as a verb phrase. It describes the act of absorbing a cost, accepting responsibility, or, in sports, a defensive maneuver to draw a foul. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in both financial and sports contexts, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "took a charge" is a versatile expression used across different contexts, most notably in finance and sports. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes incurring a specific one-time expense or write-down in finance, and a deliberate defensive action in sports. The usage is grammatically sound, frequent across reputable sources like The New York Times and Forbes, and maintains a neutral to descriptive tone. Remember to use it to describe exceptional events, not ongoing costs. When writing, be precise, and clarify the type of expense or defensive move. This ensures clear, concise communication, avoiding ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed the impact

This alternative focuses on withstanding the force or consequences of an event, highlighting resilience and endurance.

assumed responsibility

This alternative highlights the act of accepting accountability for something, shifting the focus from the immediate action to the resulting obligation.

bore the brunt

Similar to "absorbed the impact", this emphasizes enduring the worst part of a negative event or situation.

sustained the blow

This is used when withstanding the negative effects of a damaging action or event.

incurred a cost

This phrase emphasizes the negative consequence or expense resulting from an action, particularly in financial or business contexts.

shouldered the burden

This alternative conveys the idea of taking on a difficult task or responsibility.

faced the consequences

This alternative centers on accepting the outcomes of an action, whether positive or negative, emphasizing accountability.

accepted a penalty

This suggests willingly taking the consequence for an infraction or mistake.

endured the setback

This emphasizes the act of persevering through a temporary obstacle or challenge, rather than avoiding it.

received a foul

This sports-related alternative implies being on the receiving end of an infraction, which, as in "took a charge", can be a strategic play.

FAQs

How can I use "took a charge" in a sentence?

The phrase "took a charge" can be used in sentences about finance (e.g., "The company "took a charge" due to restructuring") or in sports (e.g., "The player "took a charge" to prevent the basket").

What does "took a charge" mean in a financial context?

In finance, "took a charge" means the company recorded a one-time expense or write-down that reduced its profit for a specific period. This is often due to events like restructuring, asset impairment, or settlements.

What does "took a charge" mean in sports, like basketball?

In sports like basketball, "took a charge" refers to a defensive play where a player stands their ground and allows an offensive player to run into them, drawing a foul on the offensive player.

Is there a difference between "incurred a cost" and "took a charge" in finance?

"Incurred a cost" generally refers to regular business expenses. "Took a charge", however, indicates a specific, one-time write-down or expense due to an unusual event.