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Translation

take up

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The phrase "take up" is a versatile English verb with several meanings and uses. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand it better:

Basic Meaning:

  1. To Begin a New Activity: "Take up" can mean to start doing something new, like a hobby or a job.

    • Example: She decided to take up painting after she retired.

  2. To Occupy Space or Time: It can also mean to fill space or time.

    • Example: This sofa takes up too much space in the living room.

  3. To Absorb or Soak Up: "Take up" can refer to absorbing something, like liquid.

    • Example: The sponge took up all the spilled water.

  4. To Resume a Previous Position or Activity: It can also mean returning to a previous state or activity.

    • Example: After the break, we took up our discussion where we left off.
Usage Instructions:
  • You can use "take up" in different contexts to imply starting something new, filling space, or absorbing something. Remember to pay attention to the context to understand its specific meaning.
Advanced Usage:
  • In a more formal context, "take up" can mean to accept responsibilities or roles.
    • Example: He will take up the role of project manager next month.
Word Variants:
  • The noun form is "take-up," often used in discussions about space or time.
    • Example: The take-up of the new policy has been slow.
Different Meanings:
  1. Literal: To absorb or soak up (water, liquid).
  2. Figurative: To adopt or accept (new ideas, responsibilities).
  3. Occupational: To start a job or a position.
Synonyms:
  • Start: Begin, commence.
  • Occupy: Fill, take space.
  • Absorb: Soak up, take in.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • Take up arms: To prepare to fight or defend oneself.
  • Take up a challenge: To accept a difficult task or responsibility.
  • Take up the slack: To help out or compensate for someone else's lack of effort or presence.
Example Sentences:
  1. After years of working in finance, she decided to take up a career in teaching.
  2. The new furniture took up too much room in the small apartment.
  3. The towel can take up a lot of water after a shower.
Verb
  1. return to a previous location or condition
    • The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it
  2. take up as if with a sponge
  3. take in, also metaphorically
    • The sponge absorbs water well
    • She drew strength from the minister's words
  4. accept
    • The cloth takes up the liquid
  5. take out or up with or as if with a scoop
    • scoop the sugar out of the container
  6. take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption
  7. occupy or take on
    • 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. take up and practice as one's own
  9. begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job
    • Take up a position
    • start a new job
  10. take up time or space
    • take up the slack
  11. turn one's interest to
    • He took up herpetology at the age of fifty
  12. adopt
    • take up new ideas
  13. pursue or resume
    • take up a matter for consideration

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