soak up

phrasal verb

soaked up; soaking up; soaks up

1

: to take in (liquid) : absorb

The rag soaked up most of the water.

2

: to enjoy feeling or experiencing (something pleasant) in usually a slow or relaxed way

We went to the beach and soaked up the sun/sunshine all afternoon.

I sat at my table for an hour soaking up the atmosphere of the café.

The performers stood on the stage, soaking up the applause.

3

: to learn and remember (something) quickly

He eagerly soaked up every word she said.

She has an ability to soak up new information very quickly.

4

: to use a large amount of (money, supplies, etc.)

This project is soaking up resources that could be used elsewhere.

Examples of soak up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like the rest of the Yummy Skin line, the formula features Upsalite technology, which is a mixture of magnesium carbonate, great for soaking up oils, and marine algae, for obscuring pores. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

Ladle the clams and broth into wide bowls and serve with slabs of crusty bread or garlic bread for soaking up the sweet broth. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Pair the hearty chicken with your family's favorite side, or serve it over pasta to soak up the rich sauce. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025

The floating creatures bloom in fluorescent green swirls that soak up carbon dioxide emitted by factories and power plants all over the world. —Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for soak up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup