Wiktionary
vb. To take charge of an item of business, or an obligation, as a personal initiative.
Usage examples of "take upon".
Seeing, therefore, it is of such importance to a prince to take upon him the nature and disposition of a beast, of all the whole flock he ought to imitate the lion and the fox.
There were no fat salaries to tempt any one to take upon himself the duty of ruling the masses, and all were left to their own devices, to do good or evil, according to their several bents, and as fear of consequences swayed them.
But gladly would I take upon me even a greater venture, and one more dangerous, to do your Majesty's pleasure!
And, very unluckily for the world, persons so qualified very seldom care to take upon themselves the bad trade of writing.
Legitimately enough one may condemn the rulers of Italy, those who take upon themselves to shape her political life, and recklessly load her with burdens insupportable.
Regard to my family hath made me take upon myself to be the mediating power, in order to rectify those mistakes in policy which you have committed in your daughter's education.
I charge him with endeavoring as much as in him lies to persuade your Majesty, being of too tender years to direct your own affairs, to take upon yourself the government and management of the realm, to the danger of your own person, and the peril of the whole kingdom.
Are you going to take upon yourselves to swear, that that boy upstairs is the boy that was put through the little window last night?
To-morrow, the Lady Rowena will take upon her the state to which she has been called by the free election of the victor Knight, confirmed by the acclamations of the people.
In acknowledgment of fealty, he proceeded to take upon himself the guardianship of his master's property.
The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration,—.
If so, they were unlike any base shape she had ever seen a creature take upon death.
And as you know that there are not a few most foolish folk, who, notwithstanding their folly, take upon themselves the governance and correction of others.
Stern, strong voices had called to him to lay aside his selfish dreams, his boyish ambitions, to take upon his shoulders the yoke of a great duty.
Could I retract my word, and take upon myself the responsibility of compromising the future of my companions?