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Question

Consider the following sentence:"Dad decided TAKE Deng Xiaoping UP ON HIS INVITATION to return to China for a visit." Does this mean the same as:"Dad decided TO ACCEPT Xianping's INVITATION to return to China for a visit."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Christine Christie"Dad decided TO TAKE Deng Xiaoping UP ON HIS INVITATION to return to China for a visit."
"Dad decided TO ACCEPT Deng Xiaoping's INVITATION to return to China for a visit."

Your sentences are equivalent in meaning as written above.

CJ

Clive · Answer

"Dad decided to TAKE Deng Xiaoping UP ON HIS INVITATION to return to China for a visit."

Does this mean the same as:

"Dad decided TO ACCEPT Xianping's INVITATION to return to China for a visit."

Yes, but take someone up on something suggests a context in which Dad initially declined the invitation or was initially reluctant to accept the invitation.

The expression can also be used to suggest that Deng's invitation was not originally intended as a genuine invitation, in which case Dad's acceptance might not please Deng.

The context will usually make the intended meaning clear.

Clive

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