Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - soak up

1. If a soft or dry material soaks up a liquid, the liquid goes into the substance. The cells will promptly start to soak up moisture. PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P 2. If you soak up the atmosphere in a place that you are visiting, you observe or get involved in the way of life there, because you enjoy it or are interested in it. (INFORMAL) Keaton comes here once or twice a year to soak up the atmosphere. = absorb PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P 3. If something soaks up something such as money or other resources, it uses a great deal of money or other resources. Defence soaks up forty per cent of the budget... PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)