take the water—
1. (of an animal) enter a lake, river, etc. and begin to swim:
- I heard a splash and saw a deer take the water 300 yards or so above me.
2. (of a ship) be launched:
- The ship took the water beautifully, the strains of the band mingling with the cheers of those assembled.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase take in water—
1. drink or absorb water:
- If you sweat and don’t replace it [water], you can get into trouble. Thirst should never serve as a reminder to take in water.
2. (of a vessel) strike a leak:
- In 1620, the boats set off from Southampton for the New World. Before too long the Speedwell started to take in water…
take the waters—drink the water of a mineral spring as a medicinal substance:
- He [Milton] died at Spa, where he was taking the waters, in September 1653.