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

This Fontina-and-Herb Croissant Casserole is indulgent with layers of buttery croissants that soak up a creamy custard of eggs, half-and-half, and Dijon mustard, while ribbons of gooey Fontina cheese melt between tender mushroom and fresh herbs. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025

At night, Piña says his apartment glows from the streetlights and soaks up the energy from the neighborhood. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025

Authors and artists, movie stars and princesses — even cowboys — have all made the pilgrimage to Via dei Condotti, at the foot of the Spanish Steps, to soak up the storied atmosphere of the Italian capital’s oldest coffee house. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025

The Eleven Patio New for Jay Peak’s 2025/2026 season, this outdoor watering hole is the perfect place to keep soaking up fresh alpine air long after the sun goes down. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for soak up

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