take one’s measures—take certain steps in regard to a given situation, problem, etc.:
- After five minutes’ troubled reflection, Klimper took his measures. With unusual difficulty he procured a private interview.
take someone’s measure—
1. determine the different dimensions of a person’s body for clothes, etc.:
- The tailor took my measure. Reichmann told him it must be made by the morning.
2. form an opinion of a person’s character, abilities, etc.:
- I have encountered a good many of these gentlemen in actual service, and have taken their measure.