1.拿起,举起(物)
例如:She took up her Boston bag and left.她拿起她的手提包走了.
2.占(时间、地方等),消耗
例如:It took up a whole week to write the article.写这篇文章花了整整一个星期.
The table takes up too much space.这张桌子太占地方了.
3.开始(工作,产生兴趣等,尤其指做以前从未做过的事,或作为消遣的方式)
例如:He took up Spanish while in Spain.当他在西班牙的时候,他开始学习西班牙语.
4.继续(中断的活),接下去
例如:Harry took up the tale at the point where John had left off.哈利接着约翰停止的地方继续讲那个故事.
5.吸收(液体),溶解(固体)
例如:Blotting-paper takes up ink.吸墨纸吸收墨水.
How much water is needed to take up a pound of salt?溶解一磅食盐需要多少水?
6.打断(某人的话)
例如:“I wonder if you’ll find them likeable?”
“what’s the difference?” he took me up sharply.
“我不知道你是否认为他们讨人喜欢?”
“那有什么区别呢?”他突然打断我的话.
7.接受(提议等)
例如:Can I take you up on your offer of a meal?我能接受你请客的邀请吗?
8.支援,帮助,保护(某人)
例如:The young soprano was taken up by the famous conductor.
那位年轻的女高音得到那位名指挥家的照顾.
此外,take up还有“(车辆等)搭载(乘客)”、“承兑(汇票)”等用法,在学习的过程中,必须结合具体的语境来分析其含义,切不可望文生义.