Antonyms for take turns

Grammar : Verb

Spell : turn

Phonetic Transcription : tɜrn

Definition of take turns

Origin : late Old English turnian "to rotate, revolve," in part also from Old French torner "to turn," both from Latin tornare "turn on a lathe," from tornus "lathe," from Greek tornos "lathe, tool for drawing circles," from PIE root *tere- "to rub, rub by turning, turn, twist" (see throw (v.)). Expression to turn (something) into (something else) probably retains the classical sense of "to shape on a lathe" (attested in English from c.1300). Related: Turned; turning.
To turn up "arrive" is recorded from 1755. Turn-off "something that dampens one's spirits" recorded by 1971 (said to have been in use since 1968); to turn (someone) on "excite, stimulate, arouse" is recorded from 1903. Someone should revive turn-sick "dizzy," which is attested from mid-15c. To turn (something) loose "set free" is recorded from 1590s. Turn down (v.) "reject" first recorded 1891, American English. Turn in "go to bed" is attested from 1690s, originally nautical. To turn the stomach "nauseate" is recorded from 1620s. To turn up one's nose as an expression of contempt is attested from 1779. Turning point is attested by 1836 in a figurative sense; literal sense from 1856.

As in rotate : verb alternate
As in vary : verb change

Example sentences :

Both of us must not sleep at the same time; we must take turns at sleeping.
Extract from : « Frank Merriwell's Bravery » by Burt L. Standish

You must all be kind to the goat and take turns riding in the wagon.
Extract from : « The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberry Island » by Laura Lee Hope

It won't be so bad, if we all take turns at pumping in the air.
Extract from : « Dave Porter in the Gold Fields » by Edward Stratemeyer

We will take turns keeping watch, as they do on board a ship.
Extract from : « Hope and Have » by Oliver Optic

The way we do is to all go into our caves and take turns creeping up.
Extract from : « Sunny Boy in the Country » by Ramy Allison White

At length the children began to take turns at playing they were cave-bears.
Extract from : « The Later Cave-Men » by Katharine Elizabeth Dopp

You girls can take turns sweeping and dusting the cabin, if you like.
Extract from : « The Girls of Central High in Camp » by Gertrude W. Morrison

"We will have to take turns standing guard the whole voyage," he said.
Extract from : « The Saracen: The Holy War » by Robert Shea

There are three of these Inspectors, who take turns in the exhibition.
Extract from : « Glimpses of Three Coasts » by Helen Hunt Jackson

Mrs Housman and Lady Jarvis take turns in reading to him aloud.
Extract from : « Passing By » by Maurice Baring

Synonyms for take turns

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019