take root

idiomatic phrase

1

of a plant : to grow and develop roots : to become rooted

… damage to the ecosystem makes it easier for nonnative plants … to take root and crowd out native vegetation.

—Mary K. Miller

2

: to become fixed or established

… providing the steadiness and resolve needed to ensure that civilizations can take root and flourish.

—Greg Grandin

A monstrous suspicion had begun to take root in his mind.

—P. G. Wodehouse

Examples of take root in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Merino’s volleyball dynasty took root under CHSAA Hall of Famer Judy Beardsley, who coached for 20 years at Merino and two at Peetz. —Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024

Social media platforms would not take root in the U.S. for another decade, and the introduction of the iPhone was still seven years away, but the quick turnaround of the audio from the hearing made Americans feel the rush of momentous events happening in real time. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

The current landscape, with its multitude of initiatives, reflects this reality: different solutions are taking root to solve different problems, catering to varied market demands. —Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Townships, a form of government that dates back to the pilgrims and took root in Illinois in the mid-1800s, have come in for particular criticism in recent decades. —Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1