take the helm
The phrase "take the helm" originates from nautical terminology, where it means steering a ship. It has since been adopted in various contexts to signify taking control or leadership.
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Definition
C1Nautical
(technical)To assume responsibility for steering a ship.
Example
- The captain asked the first mate to take the helm during the storm.
B2General
(figurative)To assume control or leadership of an organization, project, or situation.
Example
- After the CEO resigned, the board appointed a new leader to take the helm.
- She decided to take the helm of the project to ensure its success.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "take the helm":
at the helmtake the wheeltake the leadtake the contake oversteady hand on the tillertake holdtake pointtaking up the mantleassuming the mantletake responsibilitytake the benchlay hold oftake possessiontake one's placetake a turntake onchange tackin charge