un‧der‧take W3 AC / ʌndəteɪk $ -dər- / 动词 ( past tense undertook / -tʊk / , past participle undertaken / -teɪkən / ) [及物动词] formal

1 to accept that you are responsible for a piece of work, and start to do it

undertake a task/a project/research/a study etc

Dr Johnson undertook the task of writing a comprehensive English dictionary.

2 undertake to do something to promise or agree to do something :

He undertook to pay the money back in six months.

COLLOCATIONS

名词

undertake a task/project Every task he undertook was tackled with great determination.

undertake work The work is being undertaken by team of experts.

undertake research/a study Students may undertake full-time supervised research leading to the award of a Ph.D.

undertake a review/analysis The Court of Appeal decided to undertake a review of the Law.

undertake a journey/voyage You should not undertake a long journey if you are unwell.

undertake duties (= do things as part of your job ) I’m rarely asked to undertake teaching duties these days.

短语

something is not to be undertaken lightly (= not to be started without serious thought, for example because it is difficult ) It was not a voyage to be undertaken lightly.

THESAURUS

promise to tell someone that you will definitely do something, or that something will happen : He promised to give the book back. | The organisers have promised that this year’s event will take place.

swear to make a very serious and sincere promise, for example in a law court : He had sworn to tell the truth. | I would never do that, I swear.

give somebody your word especially spoken to promise sincerely that you will do something or that something is true – often used when you are trying to persuade someone that they can trust you : I give you my word that your money is safe with me. | I’ll let you go out tonight if you give me your word that you’ll be home by 11.

vow to make a very serious promise, often to yourself : She vowed that she would never drink alcohol again. | They vowed to carry on their campaign for justice.

assure to promise someone that something will happen or that something is true, in order to try to make them feel less worried : Police have assured the public that they are doing everything they can to find the killer.

guarantee to promise that you will make sure that something will definitely happen, so that there is no question of it not happening : I guarantee that you will have the documents by tomorrow. | How can you guarantee that this won’t happen again?

pledge to promise publicly or officially that you will do something, for example to give help or money : The government has pledged to increase overseas aid to $4 billion over the next five years.

undertake formal to make an official or legal promise to do something : The government undertook to keep price increases to a minimum. | The two sides undertook to respect each other’s territory.

commit to something formal to make a firm and definite promise to do something important, which will affect you for a long time and which could result in serious effects if you fail : Bobby felt unready to commit to a romantic relationship. | A group of 11 companies has committed to developing a new passenger plane.