undertake

undertake
un‧der‧take W3 AC /ˌʌndəˈteɪk $ -dər-/ verb (past tense undertook /-ˈtʊk/, past participle undertaken /-ˈteɪkən/) [transitive] formal1. 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

■ nouns
   ▪ 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.
■ phrases
   ▪ 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.