SkyfireDict

take up   (TTS Sound)

The noun take-up has 2 senses

• take-up -- (any of various devices for reducing slack (as in a sewing machine) or taking up motion (as in a loom); "a take-up that winds photographic film on a spool")


• take-up -- (the action of taking up as by tightening or absorption or reeling in)

The verb take up has 13 senses

• take up -- (pursue or resume; "take up a matter for consideration")


• take up, latch on, fasten on, hook on, seize on -- (adopt; "take up new ideas")


• take up -- (turn one's interest to; "He took up herpetology at the age of fifty")


• take up -- (take up time or space; "take up the slack")


• start, take up -- (begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job; "Take up a position"; "start a new job")


• adopt, borrow, take over, take up -- (take up and practice as one's own)


• assume, take, strike, take up -- (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")


• sorb, take up -- (take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption)


• scoop, scoop out, lift out, scoop up, take up -- (take out or up with or as if with a scoop; "scoop the sugar out of the container")


• take in, take up -- (accept; "The cloth takes up the liquid")


• absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up -- (take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words")


• take in, sop up, suck in, take up -- (take up as if with a sponge)


• resume, take up -- (return to a previous location or condition; "The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it")