take up

take up something

1. to begin to do something. She worked for a TV company, then took up writing and produced a series of best-sellers. I didn't know you smoked — when did you take it up?

2. to consider or deal with something. A group has taken up the cause of preserving open spaces in our town. The coach said he couldn't practice with the team, and that he needed to take the matter up with Principal Hall.

3. to shorten a piece of clothing. The skirt dragged on the floor, so I took it up. I need to have these pants taken up.

See also: take

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take up somewhere/something

to fill a space or a period of time. This desk takes up most of my office. Just getting there would take up too much of his time. Most of the weekend was taken up with shopping and cleaning.

See also: take