take up = start a hobby (GiU Unit 143, up 1)
The frame
Section titled “The frame”I don’t do any sports at the moment, but I’m thinking of taking up tennis. ✓
take up = start a new hobby/sport/activity: take up tennis, take up painting, take up running.
Preposition forces -ing: thinking of → of taking up (✗ of take up / of to take up).
up-family (Unit 143) — why not the others
Section titled “up-family (Unit 143) — why not the others”| phrasal | meaning | fits? |
|---|---|---|
| take up | start a hobby | ✓ |
| set up | establish (business), arrange | ✗ |
| grow up | become adult (intransitive, no object) | ✗ |
| clear up | tidy, resolve (weather/mystery) | ✗ |
| bring up | raise (child), mention (topic) | ✗ |
| wash up | do the dishes (BrE); wash oneself (AmE) | ✗ |
take up details
Section titled “take up details”- Pronoun/object splits: take tennis up = take up tennis
- Noun form: “a take-up of…” rare — but uptake (rate of adoption) is the fossil: “slow uptake of the vaccine”
- Contrast give up = quit the hobby (opposite)
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 143 — Phrasal verbs up 1. Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.