take the con

present singular third person takes the con · participle present taking the con · past took the con · participle past taken the con

1. literalnauticalTo take over navigational duties on the bridge of a ship.

   Mr. Renner, take the con!" Jolt meters swung before the acceleration alarms; Renner must have set up the course in advance and slapped the keys the instant he was given control.

   1974, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, The Mote in God's Eye

2. figurativelygeneralTo take over responsibilities from someone else and thus become in charge of a situation.

   Synonyms: take the helm