take the helm
idiom
1
: to steer a boat or ship
The ship's captain took the helm.
2
: to take a position of full control or authority in an organization
She took the helm of the university.
Examples of take the helm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Patel — a staunch Trump ally and former federal prosecutor and national security official — was announced by Mr. Trump in December to take the helm at the agency that has long been a target of the president's ire.
—
Robert Legare, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams threw her support behind Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler in the race to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
With Klick out of the Legislature after losing her March primary, another member will have to take the helm on medical marijuana expansion for proposals to pass this time around.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025
Former vice presidential hopeful Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is backing Ken Martin, the Democratic state party chair in Minnesota, in his bid to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take the helm 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Robert Legare, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams threw her support behind Wisconsin state party chair Ben Wikler in the race to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
With Klick out of the Legislature after losing her March primary, another member will have to take the helm on medical marijuana expansion for proposals to pass this time around.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025
Former vice presidential hopeful Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is backing Ken Martin, the Democratic state party chair in Minnesota, in his bid to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for take the helm
Dictionary Entries Near take the helm
Cite this Entry
“Take the helm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20helm. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share