take the con

take the con (third-person singular simple present takes the con, present participle taking the con, simple past took the con, past participle taken the con)

1. (nautical) To take over navigational duties on the bridge of a ship.
   • 1974, Larry Niven; Jerry Pournelle, The Mote in God's Eye:

     Mr. Renner, take the con!" Jolt meters swung before the acceleration alarms; Renner must have set up the course in advance and slapped the keys the instant he was given control.

• conning tower