take up a collection

Definitions

1. 1

   To request and receive money or goods of value from members of a group, especially for a…

   To request and receive money or goods of value from members of a group, especially for a charitable purpose.

   • Then somebody sings out, "Take up a collection for him, take up a collection!" Well, a half a dozen made a jump to do it, but somebody sings out, "Let HIM pass the hat around!"
   • "But I hope nobody's took up a collection for me. I don't want no charity."
   • When Simmons won a scholarship to Dillard University, her high school teachers took up a collection so she'd have a coat.

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