Remove vs Take that sucker down

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Remove

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Take that sucker down

Informal Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Remove Most common: Remove

	Remove	Take that sucker down
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 //teɪk ðæt ˈsʌkə daʊn// 🇺🇸 //teɪk ðæt ˈsʌkər daʊn//
Meaning	To take something away or get rid of it.	Remove that thing or person.
Example	Please remove the stain from the carpet.	We need to take that sucker down before it causes more damage.
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with, altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with	take down a target, take down opponents, take down the enemy, take down a criminal, take down a barrier
Antonyms	add, include	-
Common mistakes	Confusing 'remove' with 'erase' — 'erase' is often used for writing or drawings., Using 'remove' without a clear object — remember to specify what is being removed., Incorrectly using 'removal' as a verb.	Confused with 'take it down' which can mean to remove a message or image., Using 'sucker' too literally; it's informal and can be disrespectful., Misusing 'take' without an object.
Usage notes	Use 'remove' in neutral contexts, such as formal writing or conversations. It is less common in informal speech where simpler words like 'take away' might be preferred.	Used in casual conversation, often to mean defeat or remove someone or something. Avoid in formal contexts.

See it in real clips

I'm gonna need TARS to remove and adapt some components from KIPP.

Please remove any metallic items you're carrying. Keys, loose change.

I'm gonna need TARS to remove and adapt some components from KIPP.

Please remove any metallic items you're carrying. Keys, loose change.

Remove

House Of Cards › S1 E1

Anybody gets between me and that goal line, I will take that sucker down.

Take that sucker down

Frequently asked questions: Remove vs Take that sucker down

What's the difference between Remove and Take that sucker down?

Remove: To take something away or get rid of it. Take that sucker down: Remove that thing or person.

Which is more formal: Remove and Take that sucker down?

Remove is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Remove and Take that sucker down?

Remove is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Remove: Please remove the stain from the carpet. Take that sucker down: We need to take that sucker down before it causes more damage.

Can I use Remove and Take that sucker down interchangeably?

Not always. Remove and Take that sucker down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.