retake

Everyday

1. To retake a test or exam is to take it again, often because you failed or want a better mark. tree →
2. A retake is a second try at a test, or a scene in a film filmed again. tree →
3. To retake a place is to capture it again after losing it. tree →

In the lessons

In school and adult life, students retake exams; «resits» is the British word in many schools. In film-making and drama, a retake is shooting a scene again. In history, armies retake towns or castles. Phrases: «retake an exam», «a retake of the scene», «retake the castle».

Examples

• She failed her driving test but will retake it next month. tree →
• I need to retake the spelling test. tree →
• The actor forgot his lines, so they did a retake. tree →
• The army retook the castle after a long siege. tree →
• Retakes are allowed if you are ill on the day. tree →
• After three retakes, the scene was perfect. tree →

Note

Irregular like «take»: retake, retook, retaken. Stress: verb re-TAKE, noun RE-take. British schools also say «resit». A retake is a second chance, not a punishment.