What Does “Take Up With” Mean?
The phrasal verb “take up with” generally means to begin associating or forming a relationship with someone—often used in informal or cautionary contexts.
Example: After the divorce, she took up with an old friend from college.
Common Usage
- Often implies a new romantic or close personal relationship.
- Sometimes carries a slightly negative or judgmental tone (e.g., “He’s taken up with the wrong crowd”).
- Less commonly, it can refer to adopting a cause or belief (“She took up with environmental activism”).
Example Sentences
- Don’t take up with people who don’t respect your values.
- He took up with a group of artists and started painting again.
- I heard she’s taken up with someone new—hope he treats her well.