Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Undertake has 6 different meanings across 1 category:
accept as a charge
"The company decided to undertake the difficult project despite the tight deadline."
To take upon oneself; to start, to embark on (a specific task etc.).
"She decided to undertake a challenging marathon training program next month."
In plain English: To undertake something means to start doing it because you promised yourself that you will finish it.
"She decided to undertake the difficult project alone after her team quit."
Usage: Use undertake when you commit yourself personally to starting or completing a difficult task or responsibility. It is often followed directly by the base form of another verb, such as "undertake to finish."
Undertake comes from Middle English, formed by combining the prefix under- with the verb take. Originally, it meant to take something that is underneath or beneath.