take up Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb pursue or resume
   
   • take up a matter for consideration
2. verb adopt
   fasten on; hook on; seize on; latch on.
   
   • take up new ideas
3. verb turn one's interest to
   
   • He took up herpetology at the age of fifty
4. verb take up time or space
   
   • take up the slack
5. verb begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job
   start.
   
   • Take up a position
   • start a new job
6. verb take up and practice as one's own
   take over; adopt; borrow.
   
7. verb occupy or take on
   assume; strike; take.
   
   • He assumes the lotus position
   • She took her seat on the stage
   • We took our seats in the orchestra
   • She took up her position behind the tree
   • strike a pose
8. verb take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption
   sorb.
   
9. verb take out or up with or as if with a scoop
   scoop out; scoop; scoop up; lift out.
   
   • scoop the sugar out of the container
10. verb accept
    take in.
    
    • The cloth takes up the liquid
11. verb take in, also metaphorically
    draw; imbibe; absorb; soak up; take in; suck up; suck; sop up.
    
    • The sponge absorbs water well
    • She drew strength from the minister's words
12. verb take up as if with a sponge
    suck in; sop up; take in.
    
13. verb return to a previous location or condition
    resume.
    
    • The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it

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