To take after someone means to resemble an older family member (such as a parent or grandparent) in appearance, personality, temperament, or behavior.
In a secondary, physical sense, it can also mean to chase, pursue, or run after someone (often expressed as take off after).
The Literal Sense: Why Do We Say “Take”?
Because the verb take is one of the most flexible “elemental words” in the English language with dozens of historical definitions, people often wonder what take actually means in this phrase:
“Take” as Adopting or Assuming a Quality
In Middle and Early Modern English, take frequently meant to absorb, catch, or assume a form or characteristic (a sense that survives today in expressions like “to take shape,” “to take a liking to,” or saying that “the dye took to the fabric”).
“After” as Following a Pattern or Model
Historically, the preposition after did not just refer to time. It meant “in the manner of” or “according to the model of” (the same sense used in “named after his father” or “made after the old style”).
When combined, to take after someone literally means to assume characteristics modeled after an ancestor.
The Pursuit Sense (“To Set Out Towards”)
When used to mean “pursue” (e.g., “the dog took after the cat”), take is used in its directional sense of setting off or moving toward a path (as in “take to the hills” or “take flight”), following directly in the tracks of the target.
Usage & Inseparable Phrasal Verb Rules
- Inseparable: Take after is a transitive, inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot split the verb and preposition with a pronoun or noun (e.g., you say “I take after her,” never “I take her after”).
- Familial Context: While you can resemble anyone in the world, take after is used exclusively for biological ancestors and older family members (parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles). You would not say you take after a friend or a coworker, even if you look or act similar.
Origin & History
The phrase has a long lineage in the English language, emerging in Middle English during the 1300s and 1400s as both a physical term for pursuit and a figurative expression for inheriting traits.
By the 1500s and 1600s, it was firmly established in English drama and literature to describe children who reflected the virtues, vices, or facial features of their parents.
Sentence Examples
“I take after my mother. We’re both stubborn and love to cook!”
“In looks, he takes after his father, but in personality, he takes after his mother.”
“Fred is difficult to deal with,” said Anthony. | “Well, he takes after his dad who’s the same way!” replied Mr. Setter.
“As soon as the mail carrier opened the gate, the puppy took after him down the driveway.”
“My dog is always taking off after squirrels in the park.”
Similar and Related Expressions
- The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree: A child closely resembles their parents in behavior, habits, or character.
- Runs in the Family: A characteristic, talent, habit, or medical condition that runs in the family is one that is shared by multiple members of a family, passed down genetically or culturally across generations.
- A Chip Off the Old Block: A child who looks or acts just like one of their parents.
- Cut From the Same Cloth: Sharing the exact same traits, values, or nature as someone else.
- Like Father, Like Son: Proverb noting the strong behavioral similarity between generations.