To take up

Take Take, v. i. 1. To take hold; to fix upon anything; to have the natural or intended effect; to accomplish a purpose; as, he was inoculated, but the virus did not take. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

When flame taketh and openeth, it giveth a noise. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

In impressions from mind to mind, the impression taketh, but is overcome . . . before it work any manifest effect. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

2. To please; to gain reception; to succeed. [1913 Webster]

Each wit may praise it for his own dear sake, And hint he writ it, if the thing should take. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

3. To move or direct the course; to resort; to betake one's self; to proceed; to go; -- usually with to; as, the fox, being hard pressed, took to the hedge. [1913 Webster]

4. To admit of being pictured, as in a photograph; as, his face does not take well. [1913 Webster]

{To take after}. (a) To learn to follow; to copy; to imitate; as, he takes after a good pattern. (b) To resemble; as, the son takes after his father.

{To take in with}, to resort to. [Obs.] --Bacon.

{To take on}, to be violently affected; to express grief or pain in a violent manner.

{To take to}. (a) To apply one's self to; to be fond of; to become attached to; as, to take to evil practices. ``If he does but take to you, . . . you will contract a great friendship with him.'' --Walpole. (b) To resort to; to betake one's self to. ``Men of learning, who take to business, discharge it generally with greater honesty than men of the world.'' --Addison.

{To take up}. (a) To stop. [Obs.] ``Sinners at last take up and settle in a contempt of religion.'' --Tillotson. (b) To reform. [Obs.] --Locke.

{To take up with}. (a) To be contended to receive; to receive without opposition; to put up with; as, to take up with plain fare. ``In affairs which may have an extensive influence on our future happiness, we should not take up with probabilities.'' --I. Watts. (b) To lodge with; to dwell with. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.

{To take with}, to please. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]