soak up

USAGE SUMMARY

"soak up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in either a literal or figurative sense, meaning to absorb (e.g. he soaked up the sun's rays) or to become familiar with or learn (e.g. she soaked up the new language quickly). Example: He was eager to soak up all the knowledge in the lecture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Plants soak up light.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both soak up the sauce.

The New York Times - Food

Soak up a bit of culture.

Columbia University

"Just go soak up the karma".

The New Yorker

Or you can soak up some culture.

The New Yorker

The potatoes would soak up sauce.

The New York Times

Sit back and soak up the voices.

The Guardian - Books

Return to cloths to soak up oil.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Soak up it all!

WikiHow

This will soak up any remaining liquid.

WikiHow

Just…soak up the epic-ness of that last sentence.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "soak up" to describe both physical absorption, like a sponge soaking up water, and metaphorical absorption, like soaking up knowledge or culture. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "soak up" in formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "absorb" or "assimilate" would be more appropriate. The phrasal verb can sometimes sound too informal depending on the setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soak up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of absorbing something, either literally (like a sponge) or figuratively (like absorbing knowledge or an experience), as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "soak up" is a versatile expression used to describe both physical and metaphorical absorption. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news, media and more informal contexts. While alternatives like "absorb" or "assimilate" exist for more formal settings, "soak up" effectively conveys the idea of fully taking in something. The phrase is generally neutral in register and commonly used to describe experiencing or enjoying something fully, like "soaking up the sun" or "soaking up the atmosphere". It's essential to be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorb

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical intake of something.

assimilate

Highlights the integration of information or experiences.

imbibe

Suggests taking in something, often knowledge or culture, in a receptive way.

take in

Implies understanding or becoming aware of something.

bask in

Refers to enjoying something pleasant or favorable.

relish

Emphasizes the great enjoyment of something.

ingest

Focuses on the physical act of taking something in, but can also be used figuratively.

immerse oneself in

Suggests deep involvement or engagement in something.

draw in

Implies attracting and absorbing something.

engross

Captures the attention and absorbs completely.

FAQs

How can I use "soak up" in a sentence?

You can use "soak up" to describe absorbing liquids, as in "The towel will soak up the spill". It can also describe absorbing information or experiences, such as "I went to the museum to soak up some culture".

What's a more formal alternative to "soak up"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "soak up" include "absorb", "assimilate", or "imbibe".

Is it correct to say "soak up with"?

While you can say something is "soaked up", it's more common to say something "soaks up" something else. For example, "The sponge soaks up water" is more common than "The water is soaked up with the sponge".

What does it mean to "soak up the atmosphere"?

To "soak up the atmosphere" means to fully experience and enjoy the feeling or mood of a place or situation. It's similar to saying you want to "immerse oneself in" or "take in" the surroundings.