imbibe vs take up

imbibe and take up both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
imbibe	No	No	Yes	No
take up	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, imbibe and take up are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of imbibe include absorb, draw, soak up, sop up, suck, suck up, take in.

imbibe (verb)	take up (verb)
receive into the mind and retain	pursue or resume
take in liquids	return to a previous location or condition
take (gas, light or heat) into a solution	adopt
take in, also metaphorically	take up as if with a sponge
	take out or up with or as if with a scoop
	accept
	take in, also metaphorically
	take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption
	occupy or take on
	take up and practice as one's own
	begin work or acting in a certain capacity, office or job
	turn one's interest to
	take up time or space