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take up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 start an activityto begin doing a new activity, hobby, or sport regularly.
  2. 2 use space or timeto fill or occupy a particular amount of space or time.
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1

start an activity

B1take up sth sthMost common

to begin doing a new activity, hobby, or sport regularly.

I decided to take up yoga to help me relax after work.

A: You seem really energetic these days!
B: Thanks! I took up running last month.

In my free time, I recently took up painting because I wanted a creative outlet.

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.

Tell it apart

She took up painting last year.

started a hobby

The sofa takes up half the room.

occupies space
Use 'take up' when you start doing something new, like a hobby or sport.Not to be confused with 'take on', which often means to accept a responsibility or challenge.

Often paired with

take up + hobby
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2

use space or time

B2take up amount of space/time

to fill or occupy a particular amount of space or time.

This sofa takes up too much space in the living room.

A: Why are you late?
B: Sorry, the meeting took up my whole afternoon.

Commuting to work takes up a significant part of my day, which is sometimes frustrating.

Common mistake

✗This task takes up of my whole morning.

✓This task takes up my whole morning.

'Take up' takes the space/time directly — no 'of'.

Tell it apart

The sofa takes up too much space.

occupies it

She took up swimming.

started the activity
Use 'take up' when talking about something that fills space or uses time.Different from 'take over', which means to gain control of something.

Often paired with

take up + space/time
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start an activityuse space or time