take up

Short definition: The phrase take up means to begin a new activity or hobby, or to occupy space or time, depending on context.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb take up? This is a very common and flexible expression in English. It can describe starting a new hobby, accepting an offer, filling space or time, raising a topic, or resuming something after a pause. You’ll hear it in daily conversation, academic settings, and professional discussions. Because it has several meanings, the exact sense depends on context. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how take up works in everyday English.

take up v. /ˌteɪk ˈʌp/

Forms: take up, takes up, took up, taken up, taking up
Related: begin v., occupy v., accept v., resume v.
Syllable: take-up

(Verb) To start doing a new activity or hobby.
To take up most commonly means to begin doing a new activity, hobby, or interest, especially something that becomes part of your regular routine over time.

She decided to take up photography after buying her first camera.

He took up swimming to stay fit and reduce stress.

Many retirees take up gardening as a relaxing pastime.

Synonyms: begin, start, adopt, pursue, pick up, engage in, get into, practice regularly, embrace, learn, dive into, commit to
Antonyms: quit, abandon, give up, drop, discontinue, stop practicing, neglect, avoid, lose interest in, walk away from, leave behind, reject activity
(Verb) To accept an offer, invitation, or opportunity.
Take up can also mean accepting something that is offered to you, such as an opportunity, suggestion, or challenge.

She took up his offer to help with the presentation.

He took up the job offer without hesitation.

They decided to take up the chance to travel abroad.

Synonyms: accept, agree to, seize, take on, undertake, respond positively, consent to, embrace offer, adopt proposal, commit oneself to, welcome opportunity, approve
Antonyms: decline, refuse, reject, turn down, dismiss, pass up, ignore opportunity, deny request, forgo, back out of, withdraw from, say no to
(Verb) To occupy space or time.
In another sense, take up means to fill or use space, time, or resources, sometimes more than expected.

This table takes up too much space in the room.

The meeting took up most of the morning.

Don’t let small problems take up all your energy.

Synonyms: occupy, fill, consume, use up, absorb, require, claim space, demand time, cover area, utilize, dominate, take over space
Antonyms: free up, release, vacate, clear, spare, save time, reduce usage, empty, open space, shorten, minimize, make room
(Verb) To resume or continue something after a pause.
Take up can also mean continuing a discussion or activity from the point where it stopped, especially after a break.

Let’s take up the conversation where we left off yesterday.

The teacher took up the lesson again after the holiday.

He took up the topic once everyone had settled down.

Synonyms: resume, continue, restart, pick up again, carry on, proceed with, go back to, reengage, revive, reopen, return to discussion, move ahead
Antonyms: end permanently, conclude, abandon topic, drop discussion, stop completely, terminate, finish off, wrap up, discontinue entirely, close subject, shut down, cease activity

Conversation Using the Phrasal Verb Take up

Discussing new hobbies and space management, Thomas and Mia are in a small apartment. This dialogue focuses on take up, which means to start a new activity, to fill a particular amount of space or time, or to shorten a piece of clothing.

Thomas: I’ve decided to take up photography as a hobby because I want to capture more memories of our travels together this year.

Mia: That’s great, but where are you going to keep all the equipment? A large tripod will take up a lot of space in our living room.

Thomas: I read that learning a new instrument can take up a significant amount of your free time, but it’s very rewarding for your mental health.

Mia: I noticed that the new dining table managed to take up almost the entire kitchen area, making it quite hard to move around.

Thomas: If these trousers are too long for you, the tailor can easily take up the hem so they fit your height perfectly and don't drag.

Mia: I saw a documentary about how much energy data centers take up every single day to keep the internet running for the whole world.

Thomas: It’s important not to let your work take up all of your emotional energy, otherwise you’ll have nothing left for your family and friends.

Mia: I agree; I’m going to take up yoga next month to help me manage my stress levels and improve my physical flexibility and strength.

Thomas: I’m glad you decided to take up painting; the art supplies don't take up much room and you seem so much happier when you’re creative.

Mia: Me too; once I take up the final project for the class, I’ll be ready to show my work at the local community art exhibition.

Phrases Containing the Phrasal Verb Take Up

The phrases below show how the phrasal verb take up is used to talk about starting a hobby, accepting an offer, occupying space or time, or discussing a topic seriously.

Take up a hobby

To begin doing a new activity regularly.

After retiring from his full-time job, he decided to take up a hobby that would keep him mentally active and creatively inspired.

Take up a sport

To start playing or practicing a sport.

She took up a sport to improve her health and meet new people in her community.

Take up space

To occupy physical area.

The large cabinet takes up too much space in the small living room, making it feel crowded.

Take up time

To use or consume time.

Answering unnecessary emails can take up time that should be spent on more important tasks.

Take up an offer

To accept a proposal or opportunity.

He decided to take up the offer after carefully reviewing the contract and considering his long-term goals.

Take up a challenge

To accept a difficult task.

She bravely took up the challenge of leading the project despite its tight deadline.

Take up a position

To begin a new job role.

He will take up a position as regional manager starting next month.

Take up an issue

To begin discussing or addressing a problem.

The committee agreed to take up the issue at the next formal meeting.

Take up a course

To enroll in a class or program.

She decided to take up a course in digital marketing to expand her professional skills.

Take up the discussion

To begin talking about something seriously.

Let’s take up the discussion where we left off and clarify the remaining concerns.

Take up the matter

To start handling a problem.

The manager promised to take up the matter with senior leadership.

Take up residence

To begin living in a place.

The family will take up residence in their new home by the end of the year.

Take up painting

To begin practicing art.

During the lockdown, many people took up painting as a creative outlet.

Take up responsibility

To accept accountability.

He took up responsibility for the mistake and worked hard to correct it.

Take up the cause

To support an idea or movement.

Many volunteers took up the cause of environmental protection in their town.

Take up the opportunity

To accept a chance to do something.

She took up the opportunity to study abroad and experience a different culture.

Take up the invitation

To accept an invite.

He gladly took up the invitation to speak at the international conference.

Take up leadership

To assume control or authority.

She took up leadership after the former director stepped down.

Take up a task

To begin working on something.

He took up the task immediately without waiting for further instructions.

Take up reading

To start reading regularly.

She took up reading every evening as a way to relax and expand her knowledge.

Words Rhyme with take up

shake up

make up

bake up

wake up

fake up

lake up

stake up

snake up

brake up

quake up

cup

pup

sup

yup

hiccup

pickup

checkup

breakup

makeup

shakeup

stickup

mockup

lockup

linkup

setup

letup

getup

windup

startup

POS: Verb Phrase