take up
يبدأ
حرفيًا: Take (to grab) up (directionally higher)
Use `take up` when you start a new hobby or activity that you plan to continue regularly.
في 15 ثانية
- Start a new hobby or regular activity.
- Use it for interests like sports, arts, or habits.
- Implies a commitment to continue the new activity.
المعنى
Use this phrase when you start a new hobby, activity, or habit for the first time. It is like saying you are 'picking up' a new interest to fill your time.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Discussing fitness goals
I decided to take up jogging to get some fresh air.
I decided to start jogging to get some fresh air.
At a dinner party
My husband has taken up gourmet cooking lately.
My husband has started gourmet cooking lately.
A formal job announcement
She will take up her new role as Director on Monday.
She will start her new role as Director on Monday.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects the Western cultural emphasis on 'hobbies' as a core part of identity. It gained massive popularity during the Victorian era when the rising middle class began seeking structured ways to spend their new leisure time. Today, it is often linked to the 'wellness' movement and the idea of lifelong learning.
The 'Hobby' Rule
If you are talking about a sport or an instrument, `take up` is almost always the best choice. It sounds more natural than just saying 'started'.
Don't Split It
While some phrasal verbs are easily split, `take up` sounds clunky if you put the object in the middle. Say 'take up golf,' not 'take golf up'.
في 15 ثانية
- Start a new hobby or regular activity.
- Use it for interests like sports, arts, or habits.
- Implies a commitment to continue the new activity.
What It Means
Take up is all about new beginnings. It describes the moment you decide to start a hobby. Think of it like picking up a tool. You grab a guitar or a paintbrush. Now, that activity is part of your life. It usually implies you intend to keep doing it. It is not just a one-time thing. You are making space for it in your schedule.
How To Use It
You usually follow take up with a noun or a gerund. For example, you can take up photography. You can also take up running. It is a phrasable verb, but we rarely split it. You would not say 'take photography up.' Keep the words together for a natural flow. It sounds much better that way. Just imagine you are adding a new 'layer' to your personality.
When To Use It
Use this when chatting about your free time. It is perfect for New Year's resolutions. Use it when meeting new people at a party. 'I recently took up yoga' is a great icebreaker. It also works for starting a new position at work. If you start a new role, you take up the post. It feels active and intentional. It shows you are excited about the change.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for things you have to do. You do not take up doing the dishes. That is just a chore, not a hobby! Also, avoid it for temporary actions. If you just try a food once, you did not take up eating it. It is for habits, not single events. Don't use it for quitting things either. That is the opposite of what we want here!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, self-improvement is a huge topic. People love the idea of 'reinventing' themselves. Take up carries a sense of personal growth. It suggests you are an active, interesting person. It became very popular in the mid-20th century. This was when people gained more leisure time. Now, it is a staple of everyday conversation. It sounds productive and positive.
Common Variations
You might hear take up space or take up time. These are slightly different but related. They mean something is filling a physical or temporal area. If a meeting takes up your whole morning, it consumed that time. If a big sofa takes up the living room, it fills the space. However, the 'hobby' meaning is the most common for social chat. Stick to that for the most friendly vibes.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. Just remember that when used for hobbies, it usually implies you are a beginner.
The 'Hobby' Rule
If you are talking about a sport or an instrument, `take up` is almost always the best choice. It sounds more natural than just saying 'started'.
Don't Split It
While some phrasal verbs are easily split, `take up` sounds clunky if you put the object in the middle. Say 'take up golf,' not 'take golf up'.
The 'Space' Secret
In British English, you might hear someone say a hobby 'takes up a lot of room' metaphorically, meaning it requires a lot of equipment or time.
أمثلة
6I decided to take up jogging to get some fresh air.
I decided to start jogging to get some fresh air.
Focuses on starting a healthy habit.
My husband has taken up gourmet cooking lately.
My husband has started gourmet cooking lately.
Used to describe someone else's new interest.
She will take up her new role as Director on Monday.
She will start her new role as Director on Monday.
In a professional context, it means starting a position.
This lecture is taking up way too much of my afternoon.
This lecture is consuming way too much of my afternoon.
Uses the 'consuming time' variation of the phrase.
I took up knitting, but I ended up just knitting a very long, useless string.
I started knitting, but I ended up just knitting a very long, useless string.
Self-deprecating humor about a failed hobby.
I took up painting to help me process my feelings.
I started painting to help me process my feelings.
Shows the activity as a way to cope with emotions.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence about a new hobby.
I'm thinking about ___ gardening this spring.
`Taking up` is the standard expression for starting a hobby like gardening.
Complete the sentence regarding a professional start.
He is ready to ___ the challenge of the new project.
To `take up` a challenge means to accept and begin dealing with it.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Take Up'
Talking to friends about hobbies.
I took up skydiving!
General conversation or writing.
He took up the piano at age ten.
Official start of duties.
The Senator will take up his seat in January.
When to use 'Take Up'
New Hobby
Taking up chess.
New Habit
Taking up early rising.
Occupying Time
Meetings take up my day.
Occupying Space
The bed takes up the room.
New Job
Taking up a post.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt means to start doing a new activity regularly. For example, I took up swimming last month means you started going to the pool as a habit.
Yes, but it sounds more formal. You can say someone will take up the position of manager, meaning they are starting that role.
Yes, take up is more specific to hobbies or habits. You 'start' a car, but you take up the guitar.
Absolutely. If you say Work takes up all my time, it means work consumes your entire day.
Yes, it is very common. You could text a friend: Just took up baking, want some cookies?
The past tense is took up. For example: He took up karate when he was five.
Yes! To take someone up on an offer means to accept it. Example: I'll take you up on that coffee.
Yes, that is a specific meaning in sewing. If your pants are too long, you take them up to shorten them.
No, it is a standard phrasal verb used in all levels of English, from casual to professional.
No, you should use the gerund (-ing) form. Say I took up running instead.
عبارات ذات صلة
Get into
To become interested in or start doing something (very casual).
Pick up
To learn a new skill easily or start a habit.
Embark on
To start a new journey or a major project (formal).
Go in for
To have an interest in or participate in something.
التعليقات (0)
تسجيل الدخول للتعليقابدأ تعلم اللغات مجاناً
ابدأ التعلم مجاناً