take up为高频多义短语动词，take 和up字面意义上的组合，是“拿起”，也是其基本义。我们以take up的基本义为根，其衍生义为枝叶，做成语义树，培养同学们以基本义为核心在具体语境中推测衍生义的思维能力。
1、take up表示“拿起 (pick up)”，如：
She took up her things and stormed out of the office.
她拿起自己的东西，气冲冲地走出办公室。
2、take up表示“(尤指为消遣) 学着做；开始做”，如：
After he retired from office, Rogers took up painting for a while, but soon lost interest.
从办公室退休后，罗杰斯学了一段时间绘画，但很快就失去了兴趣。
3、take up表示“开始从事；开始担当（to start or begin sth such as a job）” ，如：
If you want to take up this job, you should first be trained for three months.
假如你想从事这项工作，你必须先接受三个月的训练。
4、take up表示“占用 (occupy)” ，如：
The desk takes up a lot of room.
这张桌子太占地方了。
Helen always helps her mother even though going to school takes up most of her day.
尽管海伦一天大部分时间都上学，但她总是给自己的母亲帮忙。
4、take up表示“接受（to accept sth that is offered or available）”，如：
Rick took up the challenge and cycled alone for 250 miles.
里克接受了挑战，独自骑行250英里。
注：
1. 释义1,4给出同义词以帮助理解释义，可以形成联想记忆。
2. 释义3,5给出英语释义以帮助理解释义。
3. 释义3还可与post，position，duties等搭配。
4. 高考书面表达中考查过释义4“占用”。另外，“占用”还可与space搭配。
5. 释义5还可与offer，invitation等搭配。
[Exercise]
根据句意选出take up的最佳释义。
①拿起 ②(尤指为消遣) 学着做；开始做 ③开始从事；开始担当 ④占用 ⑤接受
__________ 1. Peter will take up his post as the head of the travel agency at the end of next month. (2015 陕西)
__________ 2. By taking up the offer, the voucher (优惠券) holders can choose to book either a basic twin or double room at the chosen B&Bs. (2012 四川)
__________ 3. Whatever sport you take up, you can make it greener by using environment-friendly equipment. (2009 重庆)
__________ 4. In fact, non-verbal communication (非言语交际) takes up about 50% of what we really mean. (2012 全国)
__________ 5. I took up my umbrella and stepped into the rain.
Key: 1.③ 2.⑤ 3. ② 4.④ 5. ①