take up — start an activity
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to begin doing a new activity, hobby, or sport regularly.
Say it like a native
Textbook I have decided to commence the practice of yoga.
Native I've taken up yoga.
'Take up' is the natural verb for starting a hobby; 'commence the practice of' is ceremonial.
Pattern: take up + noun (activity/hobby/sport)
In use
- I decided to take up yoga to help me relax after work.daily life
- In my free time, I recently took up painting because I wanted a creative outlet.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I took up to play the guitar.
✓ I took up playing the guitar. / I took up the guitar.
'Take up' + noun or + -ing, not a to-infinitive.
Common collocations
take up + hobby— yoga, running, a new hobby, the guitar
Don't confuse it
Not to be confused with 'take on', which often means to accept a responsibility or challenge.
Related
- take up (use space or time) — Another meaning of 'take up' is 'use space or time'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.