take up vs soak up

take up and soak up both are verbs.

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

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

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

take up (verb)	soak up (verb)
pursue or resume	devote (oneself) fully to
return to a previous location or condition	take in, also metaphorically
adopt
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