take-up
/ˈtāk-ˌəp/ (ame, mw)
take-up — 片語動詞
- take-upbase form
- take-ups3rd person singular
- take-uping-ing form
- take-upedpast simple
1. to lift something solid from a surface or from the ground, especially something
拿起；舉起
用手從地面或表面拿起物品
to lift something solid from a surface or from the ground, especially something that has fallen or been left lying there
Lukas bent down and took up the book that had slipped off the desk.
Lukas 彎下腰，拿起那本從桌上滑落的書。
The gardener took up the fallen branches and carried them to the compost heap.
園丁撿起掉落的樹枝，把它們搬到堆肥堆那裡。
collocation: take up + fallen objects (branches, leaves)
Jiwoo took up the fragile vase and placed it gently on the top shelf.
Jiwoo 拿起那個易碎的花瓶，輕輕地放在最高的架子上。
Heather picked up the fallen picture frame, then took up the scattered photos from the carpet.
Heather 撿起掉落的畫框，然後從地毯上把散落的照片一一拿起。
- put down
to place something onto a surface
文法句型
take + up + noun phrase
take + noun phrase + up
用法筆記
Object is usually a physical item resting on a surface, often something that has fallen or been set down. More common in writing than in everyday spoken requests — for casual speech, 'pick up' is typically preferred.
常見錯誤
2. to begin using an area of land for a specific purpose, such as farming, building
佔地；開墾
開始使用某片土地來種植或建設
to begin using an area of land for a specific purpose, such as farming, building, or settlement
The community group took up the empty lot and turned it into a vegetable garden.
社區團體佔了那塊空地，把它改造成一座菜園。
Rohan's family took up several hectares near the river to grow rice and vegetables.
Rohan 一家在河邊佔了幾公頃的地，用來種稻米和蔬菜。
pattern: take up + [area of land] + for + [purpose]
New housing developments have taken up most of the fields around the town.
新的住宅開發案佔用了小鎮周邊大部分的農田。
The company plans to take up the old factory site and build a warehouse there.
那間公司計畫佔用舊工廠的地點，在那裡蓋一座倉庫。
Before the settlers arrived, no one had taken up this part of the valley for farming.
在移民到來之前，沒有人開墾過這片山谷的土地來務農。
- abandon
to leave land unused
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (land, site, area)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or organisation. Object is typically undeveloped or underused land. Distinguish from sense 10 (OCCUPY SPACE OR TIME) — this sense is specifically about starting to use land for a defined purpose, not about filling space.
常見錯誤
3. to collect or obtain things, information, or materials from various places or pe
收集；蒐集
從各處取得物品或資訊
to collect or obtain things, information, or materials from various places or people
Mira took up donations from colleagues across the office for the charity run.
Mira 從辦公室各同事那裡為慈善路跑收集捐款。
pattern: take up + [noun] + from + [source]
The journalist took up facts and figures from several different reports before writing the article.
那位記者從好幾份不同的報告中蒐集事實和數據，然後才開始寫文章。
Diego took up old family photographs from relatives to include in the history book.
Diego 從親戚那裡收集了許多老照片，放進那本歷史書裡。
The charity took up blankets and warm clothes from donors all over the city.
那個慈善機構從全市的捐贈者那裡募集了毛毯和保暖衣物。
Esme took up stories and recipes from her grandmother for the community cookbook project.
Esme 為社區食譜計畫從祖母那裡蒐集了故事和食譜。
- collect
more general; can be systematic or casual collection
- gather
very similar but more common in everyday English
- accumulate
suggests gradual build-up over time; more formal
- distribute
to give out items to many people
文法句型
take up + noun phrase + from + plural source
用法筆記
Object is often plural (donations, facts, materials, stories). The prepositional phrase 'from [sources]' is usually included to indicate where the items came from. The sources are typically multiple and varied, not a single origin.
常見錯誤
4. to begin a paid job or officially accept a position, after being offered or appo
就任；接下
開始擔任某個職位或從事有酬工作
to begin a paid job or officially accept a position, after being offered or appointed to it, and then start carrying out the duties that go with it
Sirin will take up her new role as head of marketing next Monday.
Sirin 將於下週一接任行銷主管的新職務。
pattern: take up + role/position
Eitan took up a teaching position at the international school in Singapore.
Eitan 在新加坡的國際學校接下了一個教職。
After the coach retired, Camila took up the position and trained the junior team every Saturday.
教練退休後，Camila 接下了這個職位，每週六訓練青少年隊伍。
Zuri finally took up her duties as a nurse after six months of intensive training.
經過六個月的密集訓練，Zuri 終於開始擔任護士的職務。
The mayor took up the post of city commissioner after winning the election by a wide margin.
市長在選後以大幅差距就任了市政委員一職。
- resign from
to formally give up a position
- leave
to exit a job or role
文法句型
take up + a/the + post/position/role/job + of/as + noun phrase
用法筆記
Object is always a specific position, post, role, or set of duties — never a person. Distinguish from sense 9 (SETTLE OR RESIDE), which is about taking up residence in a place rather than assuming a role. Distinguish from sense 7 (START A HOBBY), which is about leisure activities, not paid work.
常見錯誤
5. to start using or following a new idea, habit, style, belief, or way of doing so
採納；養成
開始採用新觀念、習慣或風格
to start using or following a new idea, habit, style, belief, or way of doing something as your own
After living in Kyoto for a year, Lukas took up many local customs and traditions.
在京都住了一年後，Lukas 採用了許多當地習俗和傳統。
The school took up a new approach to teaching maths after seeing excellent results in Finland.
這所學校在看到芬蘭的優異成果後，採用了新的數學教學法。
pattern: take up + a new + [approach/method/practice]
Naomi took up a new filing system at the office after realising the old method caused endless delays.
Naomi 在辦公室採用了新的歸檔系統，因為她發現舊方法造成了無盡的延遲。
Several fashion brands have taken up the use of recycled materials in their clothing lines.
好幾個時尚品牌已經在服裝系列中採用了再生材料。
Heather took up the practice of writing in a journal each night before going to bed.
Heather 養成了每晚睡前寫日記的習慣。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (a habit, an idea, a practice, a style)
用法筆記
Object is always abstract: an idea, method, custom, habit, style, or belief — never a physical object. Frequent in discussions of cultural adoption, workplace practices, and lifestyle changes. Distinguish from sense 7 (START A HOBBY), which is about starting a regular leisure activity for enjoyment.
常見錯誤
6. to absorb a liquid, gas, or fine substance into itself through pores or small op
吸收
將液體、氣體等吸入自身
to absorb a liquid, gas, or fine substance into itself through pores or small openings
The dry soil quickly took up all the rainwater from the sudden afternoon storm.
乾燥的土壤很快就把午後驟雨的所有雨水都吸收了。
A paper towel will take up the spilled juice much faster than a cloth napkin will.
廚房紙巾吸收打翻的果汁，速度比布質餐巾快得多。
comparison: paper towel vs cloth napkin — absorbing speed
The sponge took up the water from the kitchen counter in just a few seconds.
海綿在幾秒鐘之內就把廚房檯面上的水吸收了。
Plants take up carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen during the daylight hours.
植物在白天從空氣中吸收二氧化碳，並釋放出氧氣。
Emma used a cloth to take up the excess paint that had dripped onto the floor.
Emma 用一塊布把滴到地板上的多餘顏料吸起來。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (water, liquid, moisture, gas)
用法筆記
Subject is a porous material, fabric, soil, sponge, or living organism. Object is a liquid, gas, or fine substance. More common in technical or descriptive writing than in casual speech, where 'soak up' or 'absorb' are preferred.
常見錯誤
7. to decide to start doing a new activity regularly for enjoyment, such as a sport
開始做
開始學習或從事新的興趣活動
to decide to start doing a new activity regularly for enjoyment, such as a sport, hobby, or creative pursuit
After retiring, Saira took up painting and soon filled her house with watercolour landscapes.
退休後，Saira 開始學習繪畫，家裡很快就掛滿了水彩風景畫。
take up + gerund (painting) as hobby
Dahlia took up yoga to ease the back pain from sitting at her desk all day.
Dahlia 開始練習瑜伽，以緩解整天坐在辦公桌前的背痛。
take up + noun (yoga) as health activity
Tariq took up photography after his uncle gave him an old film camera.
Tariq 的叔叔送他一台老式底片相機，他從此開始學習攝影。
The community centre offered free classes to anyone wanting to take up a new language.
社區中心提供免費課程，歡迎任何想學習新語言的人參加。
Yuki took up knitting during the winter and made scarves for the whole family.
Yuki 在冬天開始學習編織，為全家人織了圍巾。
- give up
to stop doing a hobby or activity you previously started
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (hobby / sport / subject)
take up + gerund (painting / running / playing)
用法筆記
Commonly used with hobbies and sports ending in -ing (painting, running, photography). The object can come before or after the particle: 'take up yoga' or 'take yoga up', though the first pattern is more frequent. Distinguish from sense 4 (START A JOB OR ROLE) — this sense is for leisure activities, not paid work or official positions.
常見錯誤
8. to raise or begin discussing a particular subject, issue, or question, typically
提出；探討
開始討論某個議題或問題
to raise or begin discussing a particular subject, issue, or question, typically in a meeting, speech, or formal discussion setting
The committee will take up the issue of parking fees at next month's meeting.
委員會將在下個月的會議上討論停車費問題。
take up + issue in a formal meeting context
Stephanie took up the matter directly with the hotel manager after her booking went missing.
Stephanie 的訂房紀錄不見了，她直接找飯店經理討論這件事。
Let me take up that point about safety rules when we reach item five on the agenda.
等我們討論到議程第五項時，再來談安全規範那一點。
The senator plans to take up the question of healthcare funding in her next speech.
這位參議員計劃在下一次演說中探討醫療保健經費的問題。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (matter / issue / question / point)
用法筆記
This sense focuses on raising or initiating discussion of a topic — distinct from sense 13 (RESUME AFTER PAUSE), which is about restarting an ongoing activity that was interrupted. The object usually comes after the particle: 'take up a matter' is more common than 'take a matter up' in formal contexts.
常見錯誤
9. to start living permanently or for an extended period in a particular place, suc
定居；落腳
在特定地點長期居住
to start living permanently or for an extended period in a particular place, such as a city, house, or country, especially after a period of travel or change
After years of travelling, the Watanabe family finally took up residence in a quiet town near Kyoto.
Watanabe 一家旅行多年後，終於在京都市郊的一個寧靜小鎮定居下來。
take up residence (formal, living in a place)
Many young families have taken up residence in the newly built apartments near the park.
許多年輕家庭已經在公園附近的新建公寓裡落腳。
The artist took up quarters in a small village in Provence and painted the countryside for ten years.
那位藝術家在普羅旺斯的一個小村莊落腳，在那裡描繪鄉村風光了十年。
After the earthquake, several displaced families took up residence in temporary shelters provided by the government.
地震過後，好幾個流離失所的家庭暫時住在政府提供的避難所裡。
- settle
similar but can be intransitive ('settle in a place')
- move to
less formal; focuses on the relocation rather than the establishment of a home
- establish oneself
more formal; can refer to both living and working
文法句型
take up + residence / quarters / a home
take up residence in [place]
用法筆記
This sense is specifically about establishing a home or living arrangements — it does NOT refer to job roles or positions. Typically used with 'residence' or 'quarters' as the object. Common in formal writing about where people live. For official job roles, use sense 4 (START A JOB OR ROLE).
常見錯誤
10. to fill a particular amount of space or time, often in a way that is noticeable
佔據
佔用空間或時間
to fill a particular amount of space or time, often in a way that is noticeable or causes something else to be limited
The old piano took up so much room that the family could barely fit the sofa.
那架老舊鋼琴佔據了太多空間，一家人幾乎放不下沙發。
take up + space (physical)
Greta's research project took up most of her summer holiday, leaving little time for travel.
Greta 的研究計畫佔用了她暑假的大部分時間，沒什麼時間去旅行。
take up + time (temporal)
The boxes of winter clothes take up half the space in the basement storage room.
那些冬衣紙箱佔據了地下室儲藏室一半的空間。
Sari's new responsibilities at the clinic took up every minute of her working day.
Sari 在診所的新職責佔據了她工作日裡的每一分鐘。
- free up
to make space or time available by removing something
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (space / room / time / the whole day)
用法筆記
The object may come before or after the particle: 'take up space' and 'take space up' are both possible, though the post-particle position is far more common. The subject is most frequently an inanimate object or an activity, not a person.
常見錯誤
11. to make something shorter or tighter by pulling, folding, or adjusting it, or to
改短；收緊
把衣服改短或把繩索拉緊
to make something shorter or tighter by pulling, folding, or adjusting it, or to become shorter or tighter through a natural process
The tailor took up the hem of Mizuki's dress by about three centimetres.
裁縫把 Mizuki 的連身裙裙擺改短了約三公分。
take up + hem (sewing context)
Ife took up the slack in the rope until the tent stood straight and firm.
Ife 把繩子的鬆弛部分拉緊，帳篷才穩穩地立起來。
take up + slack (tightening a rope)
The sleeves of this jacket are too long — I need to take them up a few centimetres.
這件外套的袖子太長了——我需要把它們改短幾公分。
The cotton fabric took up slightly after the first wash, so the shirt felt tighter around the shoulders.
這件棉質布料第一次洗過後稍微縮短了，所以襯衫穿起來肩膀部分變緊了。
Andrés watched the rope take up as the anchor dropped, pulling the boat slowly toward the dock.
Andrés 看著繩子隨著船錨下沉而逐漸繃緊，把船慢慢拉向碼頭。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (hem / sleeves / rope / slack)
take up (intransitive: fabric/rope shortens on its own)
用法筆記
As a transitive verb, the object often separates the parts: 'take the hem up' or 'take up the hem' are both possible. As an intransitive verb, the subject is typically fabric or material that shrinks in length. Distinguish from 'take in', which means to make narrower (not shorter).
常見錯誤
12. to accept an offer, bet, or challenge from someone, especially one that involves
應允；領受
接受他人的提議、賭注或挑戰
to accept an offer, bet, or challenge from someone, especially one that involves some risk, effort, or personal commitment
Devika took up her colleague's challenge to run a half-marathon for charity next spring.
Devika 接受了同事的挑戰，明年春天要為慈善機構跑一場半程馬拉松。
take up + challenge
When the bank offered an early retirement package, several senior staff took it up immediately.
銀行推出提早退休方案後，幾位資深員工立刻就接受了。
take + it + up (separable with pronoun object)
I took my brother up on his bet that I could not finish the puzzle in under an hour.
我接受了哥哥的打賭，賭我無法在一小時內拼完那幅拼圖。
The local football club took up a sponsor's offer to fund new equipment for the junior team.
當地的足球俱樂部接受了贊助商的提議，為青少年隊添購新裝備。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (offer / challenge / bet)
take + person + up on + noun phrase (offer / challenge / bet)
用法筆記
Two patterns are common: 'take up + offer/challenge' (direct object after up) and 'take + person + up on + offer/bet' (mentioning who made the offer). When the object is a pronoun (it, that), it must come between 'take' and 'up': 'took it up', not 'took up it'. Distinguish from sense 10 (OCCUPY SPACE OR TIME) which is about filling space or time, not about accepting offers.
常見錯誤
13. to restart an activity, narrative, or task after a pause or interruption, pickin
接續；延續
暫停後重新開始或從他人停下的地方繼續
to restart an activity, narrative, or task after a pause or interruption, picking up from where it stopped without starting over
After a short break for lunch, the team took up their discussion of the budget.
午休過後，團隊重新接續了關於預算的討論。
take up + object (resuming an activity after a pause)
Professor Ayana took up the research where her colleague had left off before retiring.
Ayana 教授從同事退休前停下的地方接手進行研究。
pattern: take up where [someone] left off
Omar took up the story after his sister paused to pour some tea.
Omar 在妹妹停下來倒茶後，接續講起故事。
Mira took up the conversation where it had been interrupted by the phone call.
Mira 從被電話打斷的地方重新接續了談話。
After a brief interruption, the manager took up the discussion where they had left off.
在短暫中斷後，經理從之前停下的地方重新接續了討論。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (story / discussion / conversation)
take up where [someone] left off
用法筆記
The pattern 'take up where [someone] left off' is a common fixed expression. Distinguish from sense 8 (ADDRESS A MATTER) — sense 8 is about raising a topic for the first time in a formal discussion, while this sense is about restarting an activity that was already in progress but got paused. The object in this sense is an ongoing activity (story, discussion, work), while sense 8's object is a topic or issue being introduced.
常見錯誤
14. to start singing, chanting, or shouting along with others who have already begun
跟著唱；附和
跟著大家一起唱或喊
to start singing, chanting, or shouting along with others who have already begun.
The whole crowd took up the chant, filling the stadium with noise.
全場群眾跟著喊起口號，整個體育館充滿了聲響。
take up + chant/cry/song
When the band played the chorus, the audience took up the tune and sang along.
樂團演奏到副歌時，觀眾跟著唱了起來。
The students took up the protest cry as they marched past the gates.
學生們在遊行經過大門時跟著呼喊抗議口號。
When the lead singer forgot the words, the fans took up the tune instead.
主唱忘記歌詞時，粉絲們便跟著唱起了旋律。
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (chant/song/cry/chorus)
用法筆記
The subject is typically a group (crowd, audience, class) rather than an individual. Used for vocal participation — singing, chanting, shouting slogans.
15. to go to and stay in a chosen physical spot or stance, especially when following
就位
移動到特定位置或姿勢
to go to and stay in a chosen physical spot or stance, especially when following a plan or preparing for something.
Kian took up a position behind the counter to help serve the lunch crowd.
Kian 在櫃檯後方就位，準備協助服務午餐時段的客人。
take up a position (physical spot)
Hoa took up her usual seat at the back of the classroom on the first day of the term.
Hoa 在學期第一天就坐回她在教室後方的老位子。
The soldiers took up defensive positions along the ridge before sunrise.
士兵們在日出前沿著山脊就定位，採取防禦陣勢。
Eve took up a spot by the window where she could watch the rain fall on the street below.
Eve 在窗邊找了個位置坐下來，看著雨水落在下面的街道上。
- station oneself
more formal; suggests staying in one place for a purpose
- position oneself
slightly more deliberate-sounding; often used in planning contexts
- move away from
to leave a previously chosen spot
文法句型
take up + noun phrase (position/seat/spot/stance)
take up + possessive + position/spot
用法筆記
The position or spot is typically chosen deliberately, not random. Common in military, sports, and everyday contexts where someone chooses where to stand, sit, or wait.
常見錯誤
take-up — 名詞
1. the number of people who decide to use a service or buy a new product during a p
採用率
人們使用新服務或產品的比率
the number of people who decide to use a service or buy a new product during a particular period after it has been offered to them
The take-up of the new health insurance plan was much higher than the government expected.
新健康保險計畫的採用率遠高於政府的預期。
collocation: take-up of [service]
Poor internet connections in rural areas led to a very low take-up of online banking services.
鄉村地區網路連線不佳，導致線上銀行服務的採用率極低。
collocation: low take-up
The software company offered free trials to boost the take-up of its latest program among schools.
這家軟體公司提供免費試用，以提高其最新程式在學校的採用率。
Council officers were pleased with the take-up of the free childcare scheme for working parents.
市府官員對提供給在職父母的免費托兒方案的採用率感到滿意。
The take-up rate for the new bus pass among students has been slow so far this term.
到目前為止，學生對新公車月票的採用率一直不高。
- uptake
Same meaning but more common in American English and often written as one word
- adoption rate
More specific; used when people actively choose something over alternatives
- subscription rate
Limited to paid regular services such as magazines, apps, or memberships
文法句型
take-up of [service/product/program]
high/low/slow take-up
take-up rate
用法筆記
Common in British English business and government contexts. Often paired with adjectives such as high, low, or slow. Followed by of to specify the service or product being adopted.