take up a collection

take up a collection

To request and collect donations (usually of money) from people (for some cause). Before we leave, I wanted to let you know that Mrs. Stein is taking up a collection for incoming refugees fleeing the war. Every Saturday, I take up a collection outside of the local grocery store in support of veterans.See also: collection, take, up

take up a collection

Request and gather donations, as in They were taking up a collection for the church that burned down, or The veterans' group takes up a collection every month of household goods and furniture. This idiom was first recorded in 1849. See also: collection, take, up