Differences between feel up and take up
Feel up means to touch someone in a sexual way without their consent, which is illegal and inappropriate. On the other hand, take up means to start doing a new hobby, activity, or job.
Meanings and Definitions: feel up vs take up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Feel up
- 1Touch sexually, grope.
Someone FELT me UP in the club as I was trying to get to the bar.
Take up
- 1Fill or occupy time or space.
An awful lot of my time at work is TAKEN UP with pointless bureaucracy nowadays.
- 2Make clothes shorter.
The trousers were too long so I TOOK them UP to make them fit.
- 3Start a new hobby, pastime, etc..
He TOOK UP squash as he felt he had to lose some weight.
Usage Examples: feel up, take up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
feel up
Example
He tried to feel up the woman at the party, but she pushed him away.
Example
She feels up her partner when they are alone.
take up
Example
She decided to take up painting as a way to relax.
Example
He takes up a new hobby every year to challenge himself.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Feel up
grope
To touch someone's body in a sexual way without their consent, which is a form of sexual harassment and assault.
Example
She reported her boss for groping her during a meeting, which made her feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
harass sexually
To make unwanted sexual advances or comments towards someone, which is a form of sexual harassment and can cause emotional distress.
Example
She filed a complaint against her neighbor for sexually harassing her by making lewd comments and gestures.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take up
pick up
To learn or acquire a new skill or knowledge through practice or study.
Example
He wanted to pick up a new language, so he enrolled in a language course and practiced every day.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “feel”
Phrasal Verbs with “take”
Differences in feel up vs take up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: feel up or take up?
While both phrases are used, take up is more common than feel up. This is because take up is a common phrasal verb that can be used in various contexts, such as starting a new hobby or taking up a challenge. In contrast, feel up is not commonly used in everyday conversation due to its negative connotation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of feel up and take up
Take up is a neutral phrase that can be used in both formal and informal settings. It's suitable for business, academic, and social contexts. However, feel up is an inappropriate and illegal act, and it's not suitable for any context.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of feel up and take up
The tone of feel up is negative and inappropriate, and it can cause discomfort or harm to the person being touched. In contrast, take up has a positive and enthusiastic tone, especially when referring to starting a new hobby or activity.