Differences between put up with and take up with

Put up with means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant or difficult, while take up with means to associate or become involved with someone or something, often implying a negative connotation.

Meanings and Definitions: put up with vs take up with

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Put up with

1Tolerate.
I can't PUT UP WITH my neighbour's noise any longer; it's driving me mad.

Take up with

1To become involved with or start a relationship with someone.
He hoped Luis would take up with other girls, maybe get into some boy activities.
2To discuss or address a problem or issue with someone.
There were issues he found he wanted to take up with the eminent scientist -- he felt sure they could learn from discussion with each other.

Usage Examples: put up with, take up with in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

put up with

Example

I can't put up with this loud music anymore.

Example

She puts up with her boss's bad attitude every day.

take up with

Example

She decided to take up with a new group of friends.

Example

He takes up with new colleagues quickly.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Put up with

bear with

To be patient and tolerant of someone or something that is causing inconvenience or difficulty.

Example

Please bear with me while I try to fix this technical issue.

grin and bear it

To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a positive attitude.

Example

Even though the hike was challenging, she decided to grin and bear it to reach the summit.

swallow one's pride

To accept or tolerate a situation that is humiliating or uncomfortable.

Example

He had to swallow his pride and apologize to his boss after making a mistake at work.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take up with

get mixed up with

To become involved or associated with someone or something negative or dangerous.

Example

He started to get mixed up with the wrong crowd and got into trouble with the law.

hang out with

To spend time with someone in a casual or social setting.

Example

She likes to hang out with her friends on weekends and watch movies.

associate with

To connect or involve oneself with someone or something, often implying a positive or negative connotation.

Example

He decided to associate with successful entrepreneurs to learn from their experiences and insights.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “put”

Phrasal Verbs with “take”

Phrasal Verbs with “up with”

Differences in put up with vs take up with: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: put up with or take up with?

In daily conversation, people use put up with more often than take up with. This is because put up with is used for more common situations where we have to tolerate something we don't like. Take up with is not used as much, and when it is, it's usually in a negative context. So, while both phrases are used, put up with is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of put up with and take up with

Put up with and take up with are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of put up with and take up with

The tone of put up with and take up with can differ based on context. Put up with often carries a negative or annoyed tone when related to tolerating something unpleasant, while take up with typically has a suspicious or disapproving tone, especially when referring to associating with someone or something negative.

put up with & take up with: Synonyms and Antonyms

Put up with

Synonyms

Antonyms

Take up with

Synonyms

address
begin
become involved with
start a relationship
discuss
engage with
connect with
associate with

Antonyms