soak (redirected from soaking up)

soak someone or something with something

to get someone or something thoroughly wet with some liquid. The rain soaked us all with icy cold drops of water. The storm soaked the land with much-needed moisture.

soak someone to the skin

[for water, rain, or other liquid] to work its way through someone's clothing to the skin. The storm soaked us all to the skin. she soaked herself to the skin in the storm.

See also: skin

soak something in something

to leave something immersed in a liquid, intending for it to be absorbed. soak your feet in Epsom salts to make them feel better. I had to soak my elbow in ice water to take down the swelling.

soak something off (of) something and soak something off

to remove something, such as a label or surface soil, from something by soaking in a liquid. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) she soaked the labels off the bottles and jars. Please soak off the label.

soak something out of something and soak something out

to remove something, such as a stain, from something by soaking in a liquid. Dan soaked the stain out of his shirt and then washed it. Dan soaked out the stain.

See also: out

soak something up 

1. Lit. to gather up moisture or a liquid, using an absorbent cloth, paper, etc. Alice soaked the spill up with a sponge. she soaked up the spilled milk.

2. Lit. [for cloth, paper, or other absorbent material] to absorb moisture or a liquid. Please get some paper towels to soak the spill up. The sponge soaked up the orange juice.

3. Fig. to learn or absorb some information; to learn much information. I can't soak information up as fast as I used to be able to. The tourists will soak up anything you tell them.

See also: up

soak in(to something)

[for moisture] to penetrate something. The rain soaked into the parched ground as fast as it fell. I'm glad it soaked in. I was afraid it would run off.

soak one's face

Sl. to drink heavily. They're down at the tavern soaking their faces. Well, I guess I'll go soak my face in a few beers.

See also: face

soak through something

[for liquid] to work its way through something, such as cloth or paper. Please wipe up that mess before it soaks through the tablecloth. It's too late. The grape juice has soaked through the carpet into the mat.

See also: through

soaked to the skin

wet clear through one's clothing to the skin. I was caught in the rain and got soaked to the skin. oh, come in and dry off! You must be soaked to the skin.

See also: skin

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be soaked to the skin

to be extremely wet The rain was so heavy we were soaked to the skin after only ten minutes.

See also: skin

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soak up something also soak something up

1. to enjoy something I just want to lie on the beach and soak up the sun. What does he think of all the praise he's getting? He's soaking it up.

2. to learn and remember something easily and quickly Jill soaks up everything that's said in class. Music came naturally to him, and when he heard something, he soaked it up and could play it.

3. to use all of something The price of heating oil will not rise until the cold weather soaks up the huge amount waiting to be sold. There was a budget surplus, but the needs of the military will surely soak it up.

See also: up

soaked to the skin

to be extremely wet I forgot my umbrella and got soaked to the skin when I had to go out this afternoon.

See also: skin