1 B1 neutral
To begin a new hobby, sport, or activity.
"My doctor suggested I take up swimming to help with my back pain."
separable
take up
B1 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To begin a new hobby or activity, occupy space or time, shorten a garment, or accept an offer.
In plain English
To start doing something new as a hobby, or to use up space or time.
What does "take up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To fill or occupy space, time, or energy.
"The new sofa takes up almost the entire living room."
separable
3 B2 neutral
To shorten a garment from the bottom by adjusting the hem.
"The trousers were too long, so she had them taken up by a couple of inches."
separable
4 B1 neutral
To accept an offer or opportunity that is presented.
"She decided to take up the scholarship and move to Edinburgh for a year."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pick something up from a lower position.
Actually means
To start doing something new as a hobby, or to use up space or time.
Usage tip
Extremely common in everyday English. 'Take up' a hobby implies an ongoing commitment, not just a one-time try. The spatial/temporal sense is very frequent in business and academic writing ('This issue takes up considerable space').
Words that pair with "take up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hobby space time offer jogging position
How to conjugate "take up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
take up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
takes up
he/she/it
Past simple
took up
yesterday
Past participle
taken up
have + pp
-ing form
taking up
continuous
Hear "take up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "take up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "take up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
begin fill occupy pursue shorten start
Keep exploring
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