take occasion: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘take occasion’ mean?

The idiom "take occasion" means to seize or make use of an opportunity or favorable circumstance. It implies the action of recognizing and utilizing a specific event or situation to one's advantage.

Idiom Explorer

Occasion's Opportunity

One related idiom that shares a similar meaning to "take occasion" is "jump at the chance." This idiom conveys the idea of eagerly and enthusiastically seizing an opportunity. When someone jumps at the chance, they immediately take advantage of a favorable situation without hesitation.

Another related idiom is "chance upon." This phrase describes unexpectedly or fortuitously coming across something or someone. It implies stumbling upon an opportunity or an unexpected encounter. It suggests that the individual encountered the situation or person purely by chance, without actively seeking it out.

Seizing the occasion, he finally embraced the opportunity.

"take one's chance" is another idiom connected to "take occasion." It reflects the idea of embracing the opportunity presented, even though the outcome may be uncertain or involve risk. When someone takes their chance, they are willing to take a gamble or make a leap of faith, knowing that the result may be positive or negative.

The idiom "make hay" is also related to "take occasion." It refers to seizing or exploiting an opportunity when it arises. This phrase is often used in a figurative sense, suggesting that one should take advantage of a favorable circumstance or situation promptly and efficiently, similar to gathering and utilizing hay while the sun shines.

Lastly, we have "happen along," which is another idiom that aligns with the meaning of "take occasion." This phrase signifies encountering or stumbling upon something or someone by chance. It implies that the occurrence or encounter was unexpected and not planned for. When something happens along, it suggests that it came into the person's life unexpectedly, and they took advantage of the opportunity.

The idiom "take occasion" may not be widely used in American English. However, understanding its meaning and related idioms can provide insights into the concept of seizing opportunities and making the most of favorable circumstances. These related idioms directly resonate with the key idea of recognizing and utilizing opportunities, whether they are stumbled upon, eagerly embraced, or successful risks taken, adding depth to the understanding of this idiom and its variations.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "take occasion" can be used in a sentence are:

  1. She decided to take occasion of his absence to organize a surprise party for him.
  2. He took occasion at the meeting to express his gratitude for the support he had received.
  3. They took occasion during the holiday season to give back to their community through volunteer work.

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