undertake

6 definitions • 10 examples

to do or begin to do something, especially something that will take a long time or be difficult:

Students are required to undertake simple experiments.

to promise that you will do something:

[ + to infinitive ] She undertook not to publish the names of the people involved.

[ + that ] The government undertook that the buildings would not be redeveloped.

to pass another vehicle that is going in the same direction as you by driving past it on the left side:

The Highway Code advises drivers not to undertake.

The driver claims the vehicle undertook him while he was turning left.

to take responsibility for and begin doing something:

[ T ] The president directed the Department of Justice to undertake an investigation of the allegations.

[ + to infinitive ] I undertook to help him learn English.

to do or begin to do something, especially something that will take a long time or be difficult:

He needs to undertake a proper cashflow and budgeting exercise.

Some companies have undertaken a thorough transformation of their production methods.

to promise or agree that you will do something:

undertake to do sth All banks have undertaken to give printouts on request of standing orders and direct debits.