What Does “Take sth up sth” Mean?
“Take sth up sth” means to begin or accept a new activity, responsibility, or topic, often involving time or effort.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Take sth up sth” is commonly used in English when talking about starting or accepting something new. It can refer to activities, hobbies, challenges, or even discussions. Understanding the “Take sth up sth meaning” helps learners use this phrase naturally in conversations and writing. This expression is versatile and appears in many everyday contexts, making it essential for effective communication.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Take something up something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To begin or accept an activity, task, or topic
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Take sth up sth” is usually separable when the object is a pronoun. The general structure is:
- Take + object + up + object
- Example: Take the hobby up → Take it up
It is always transitive, meaning it requires an object after “take” and after “up.”
How to Use Take sth up sth?
You use “Take sth up sth” when you want to say someone starts a new activity or accepts a challenge or subject. It often involves dedicating time or effort. For example, you might take up a sport, a new job, or a topic in a conversation.
It can also mean to discuss or deal with a subject, especially in formal situations.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “Take sth up sth in a sentence”:
- She decided to take up painting as a hobby after retiring.
- The teacher took up the question of homework in class.
- He took up the challenge and trained hard for the marathon.
- We need to take up this issue with the manager soon.
- They took up the offer to join the new project team.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the order or omit parts of the phrase. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: She took painting up as a hobby.
- Correct: She took up painting as a hobby.
- Incorrect: We need to take this up issue with him.
- Correct: We need to take up this issue with him.
Remember, “take up” is a phrasal verb and the two parts usually stay together or the object goes between them.
Differences / Synonyms
“Take sth up sth” can be similar to “start,” “accept,” or “discuss,” but there are differences:
- Start: More general, can be used alone (e.g., start painting).
- Accept: Focuses on agreeing to do something (e.g., accept a challenge).
- Discuss: More formal when referring to topics (e.g., discuss an issue).
“Take up” combines these meanings, often implying beginning and dedicating time or attention.
Common Collocations
Many objects commonly follow “take up” to show what someone begins or accepts:
- Take up a hobby: start a leisure activity
- Take up a challenge: accept a difficult task
- Take up a topic/issue: discuss or deal with a subject
- Take up space/time: occupy an area or duration
- Take up a position/job: accept a role or employment
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of take sth up sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here’s a short conversation using “take sth up sth”:
Anna: Have you thought about what hobby to take up this year?
Ben: Yes, I want to take up gardening. It sounds relaxing.
Anna: That’s great! I took up yoga last month, and it really helps me unwind.
Practice
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
She decided to _______ photography after moving to the countryside.
- a) take up
- b) take off
- c) take out
Answer: a) take up
Fill in the blank:
We need to _______ this problem with the team before the deadline.
Answer: take up
FAQ
- What does “take up” mean?
It means to start or accept an activity, responsibility, or topic.
- Can “take up” be separated?
Yes, if the object is a pronoun, it goes between “take” and “up.”
- Is “take up” formal or informal?
It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- What are common collocations with “take up”?
Hobby, challenge, issue, space, position, topic.
- How do I use “take up” in a sentence?
Example: She took up swimming last summer to stay fit.
