take-up

[ teyk-uhp ]

noun

1. the act of taking up.
2. Machinery.
   1. uptake ( def 3 ).
   2. any of various devices for taking up slack, winding in, or compensating for the looseness of parts due to wear.
3. the contraction of fabric resulting from the wet operations in the finishing process, especially fulling.

take up

verb

1. to adopt the study, practice, or activity of

   to take up gardening

2. to occupy and break in (uncultivated land)

   he took up some hundreds of acres in the back country

3. to shorten (a garment or part of a garment)

   she took all her skirts up three inches

4. to pay off (a note, mortgage, etc)
5. to agree to or accept (an invitation, etc)
6. to pursue further or resume (something)

   he took up French where he left off

7. to absorb (a liquid)
8. to adopt as a protégé; act as a patron to
9. to occupy or fill (space or time)
10. to interrupt, esp in order to contradict or criticize
11. take up on
    1. to argue or dispute with (someone)

       can I take you up on two points in your talk?

    2. to accept what is offered by (someone)

       let me take you up on your invitation

12. take up with
    1. to discuss with (someone); refer to

       to take up a fault with the manufacturers

    2. intr to begin to keep company or associate with

noun

1. 1. the claiming or acceptance of something, esp a state benefit, that is due or available
   2. ( as modifier )

      take-up rate

2. machinery the distance through which a part must move to absorb the free play in a system
3. modifier denoting the part of a mechanism on which film, tape, or wire is wound up

   a take-up spool on a tape recorder

Word History and Origins

Origin of take-up¹

First recorded in 1815–25; noun use of verb phrase take up

Example Sentences

Hunt said the investigations were ongoing and that “some of these cases can take up to a year to resolve.”

From Los Angeles Times

She will require Senate confirmation to take up the role.

From BBC

In conversations with Salon, many expressed hope that Trump might take up their own pet issue, like dismantling the administrative state, ending diversity initiatives or directing public funds to religious schools.

From Salon

Maintenance or scientific experiments take up most time on the ISS, which is about the size of Buckingham Palace - or an American football field.

From BBC

Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Bishop of Stepney and the Church of England's lead safeguarding bishop, said the failings identified in the report into Smyth's abuse meant it was "now necessary for others to take up the baton".

From BBC

Related Words

• adopt
• assume
• commence
• continue
• embrace
• enter
• initiate
• open
• pick up
• renew
• reopen
• resume
• tackle
• undertake