Definitions
1.NounAlternative form of take-up.
2.VerbTo lift; to raise.
To pick up.
To remove (a ground or floor surface, including the bed of a road or the track of a railway)."We're going to have to take up the floorboards.; If we take up the sleeves a bit, that shirt will look much better on you.; The reel automatically took up the slack."
3.VerbTo pick up.
4.VerbTo remove (a ground or floor surface, including the bed of a road or the track of a railway)."We're going to have to take up the floorboards."
5.VerbTo absorb (a liquid), to soak up.
6.VerbTo shorten (a garment), especially by hemming."If we take up the sleeves a bit, that shirt will look much better on you."
7.VerbTo tighten or wind in (a rope, slack, etc.)"The reel automatically took up the slack."
8.VerbTo occupy; to consume (space or time)."The books on finance take up three shelves.; All my time is taken up with looking after the kids."
9.VerbTo take, to assume (one’s appointed or intended place)."She took up her post at the foot of the stairs."
10.VerbTo set about doing or dealing with (something).
To begin doing (an activity) on a regular basis."I’ve taken up knitting.; I wish to take up mathematics.; He took up his post as assistant director last Friday.; Let’s take this up with the manager.; Shall we take them up on their offer to help us move?; They took up the cry of their oppressed compatriots.; Let’s take up where we left off.; You have 30 minutes for the quiz. We’ll take up the answers at 1 o'clock."
11.VerbTo begin doing (an activity) on a regular basis."I’ve taken up knitting.; I wish to take up mathematics."
12.VerbTo begin functioning in (a role or position), to assume (an office)."He took up his post as assistant director last Friday."
13.VerbTo address or discuss (an issue)."Let’s take this up with the manager."
14.VerbTo accept, to adopt (a proposal, offer, request, cause, challenge, etc.).
15.VerbTo accept (a proposal, offer, request, cause, challenge, etc.) from."Shall we take them up on their offer to help us move?"
16.VerbTo join in (saying something)."They took up the cry of their oppressed compatriots."
17.VerbTo resume, to return to something that was interrupted."Let’s take up where we left off."
18.VerbTo implement, to employ, to put into use.
19.VerbTo review the solutions to a test or other assessment with a class."You have 30 minutes for the quiz. We’ll take up the answers at 1 o'clock."
20.VerbTo begin occupying and working (a plot of uncultivated land), to break in.
21.VerbTo pay off, to clear (a debt, loan, mortgage, etc.).
22.VerbTo arrest (a person)."The police took up the suspect."
23.VerbTo reprove or reproach (a person).
24.VerbTo begin to support or patronize, to sponsor (a person), to adopt as protégé.