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

Proactive Reputation Management In The AI Era To effectively counter this threat, corporate communicators must understand the mechanics of synthetic media and develop the reflexes and infrastructure to respond before falsehoods take root. —Deboshree Sarkar, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Symptoms depend on where the infection takes root, from the skin to the bloodstream. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2025

But whether those seeds of intrigue take root and grow into real business is yet to be seen. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Apr. 2025

Alzheimer's researchers believe the disease takes root with brain changes before memory and thinking problems surface. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take root

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute