Meaning
To consume drugs or other substances to treat an illness or condition.
Cultural Background
Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is legal and common. This means Americans often 'take medicine' based on what they see on TV, and they might ask doctors for specific brands. The NHS (National Health Service) provides most medicine. People often talk about 'getting a prescription' before they 'take their medicine.' Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often taken as a bitter soup. Even though it is a liquid, when speaking English, Chinese people should still use 'take medicine' rather than 'drink soup.' There is a strong cultural emphasis on following the 'Beipackzettel' (instruction leaflet) exactly when taking medicine. Precision is valued.
The 'Take' Rule
If it goes in your mouth for health, use 'take'. It doesn't matter if it's a pill, a liquid, or a powder.
Avoid 'Eat/Drink'
Even if your native language uses 'eat' or 'drink', using them in English will make you sound like a beginner.
Meaning
To consume drugs or other substances to treat an illness or condition.
The 'Take' Rule
If it goes in your mouth for health, use 'take'. It doesn't matter if it's a pill, a liquid, or a powder.
Avoid 'Eat/Drink'
Even if your native language uses 'eat' or 'drink', using them in English will make you sound like a beginner.
Meds vs. Medicine
Use 'meds' with friends, but use 'medicine' or 'medication' with your doctor.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
I have a bad cold, so I need to _______ some medicine.
In English, 'take' is the standard collocation for medicine.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'take'.
Yesterday, I _______ my medicine at 8:00 PM.
'Yesterday' indicates the past tense, so we use the past form of 'take', which is 'took'.
Match the sentence to the correct context (Literal or Figurative).
Sentence: 'He lost the election and had to take his medicine.'
Losing an election is a social/political result, not a physical illness.
Complete the dialogue between a doctor and a patient.
Doctor: 'Are you _______ any other medicine?' Patient: 'No, just the vitamins.'
The doctor is asking about a current, ongoing habit, so the present continuous 'taking' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Take Medicine
Oral
- • Pills
- • Syrup
- • Capsules
Other
- • Inhaler
- • Injection
- • Cream (Apply)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI have a bad cold, so I need to _______ some medicine.
In English, 'take' is the standard collocation for medicine.
Yesterday, I _______ my medicine at 8:00 PM.
'Yesterday' indicates the past tense, so we use the past form of 'take', which is 'took'.
Sentence: 'He lost the election and had to take his medicine.'
Losing an election is a social/political result, not a physical illness.
Doctor: 'Are you _______ any other medicine?' Patient: 'No, just the vitamins.'
The doctor is asking about a current, ongoing habit, so the present continuous 'taking' is used.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt's better to say 'take some medicine' or 'take my medicine'. 'A medicine' is rare unless you mean 'a type of medicine'.
'Medication' is more formal and often used for long-term treatments. 'Medicine' is more common in daily conversation.
Yes, you can say 'take vitamins', but 'take medicine' usually implies you are treating a specific illness.
It's a common informal way to remind someone to follow their health routine, often used for mental health.
Related Phrases
take a pill
specialized formTo consume a solid, round piece of medicine.
on medication
similarThe state of taking medicine regularly.
over-the-counter
builds onMedicine you can buy without a doctor's note.
a spoonful of sugar
similarSomething that makes an unpleasant task easier.
