Meaning trap
take up
start an activity
to begin doing a new activity, hobby, or sport regularly.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to begin doing a new activity, hobby, or sport regularly.
Another meaning of 'take up' is 'use space or time'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I decided to take up yoga to help me relax after work.
In my free time, I recently took up painting because I wanted a creative outlet.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I took up to play the guitar.
Say: I took up playing the guitar. / I took up the guitar.
'Take up' + noun or + -ing, not a to-infinitive.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Take up' is the natural verb for starting a hobby; 'commence the practice of' is ceremonial.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take up + hobby
- yoga
- running
- a new hobby
- the guitar
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- take up (use space or time) — Another meaning of 'take up' is 'use space or time'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.