taking up a collection

Verb

take up a collection (third-person singular simple present takes up a collection, present participle taking up a collection, simple past took up a collection, past participle taken up a collection)

1. (idiomatic) 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!"1885, Mark Twain, chapter 20, in Huckleberry Finn

   Synonyms:

   pass the hat