PhrasesHub

soaked up

    Definitions

      • absorb information or knowledge
        To fully understand and remember something by paying close attention and taking it in

      • become completely wet
        To be drenched or saturated with liquid, typically water

    Examples of soaked up

    • The toddler soaked up every word his mother said during storytime, eagerly turning each page and mimicking the animals' actions.

      In this example, "soaked up" is used as a phrasal verb to describe how the toddler actively listened and absorbed the information presented during storytime, just as a sponge absorbs water when placed in it.

    • After a long day at work, the traveler soaked up the sun on the beach, melting away the stresses of the day and feeling completely rejuvenated.

      This example illustrates how the phrase "soaked up" can also be used to describe how someone enjoys an activity or situation, as the traveler basked in the warmth of the sunlight and allowed it to penetrate deeply into his or her body, bringing about a feeling of relaxation and renewal.

    • The sponge soaked up a lot of liquid during its initial washing, but now it barely absorbs anything at all, having passed its prime.

      This example shows how the idiom can also be used literally to describe a sponge's ability to absorb liquid, highlighting the difference between a new sponge that is still capable of soaking up a lot of moisture and one that has worn out over time, unable to perform this function as effectively.

    • The writer spent months soaking up inspiration from a variety of sources, from nature walks to books to music, compiling a wealth of ideas before sitting down to begin writing.

      In this final example, "soaked up" is used to emphasize the depth and breadth of the writer's research, illustrating the range of stimuli that contributed to the eventual creation of a piece of writing. The phrase expresses the idea that the writer's mind was a sponge, absorbing all of these influences and incorporating them into his or her own work.

    • The student soaked up all the information in the lecture.

      This idiom is used to express that the student thoroughly understood and remembered all the details presented in the lecture. It implies that the student's mind was like a sponge, eagerly absorbing all the knowledge shared by the lecturer.

    • The artist's paintings soaked up the colors of the surrounding environment.

      This idiom is used to explain that the paintings absorbed the colors and hues present in the environment, almost as if they were partaking in the surroundings. It can refer to the way that some colors and tones seem to bleed into artworks due to their surroundings.

    • The soil in the farmer's field soaked up the rain like a sponge.

      When the soil is saturated with water, it holds onto it like a sponge would, preventing the water from pooling around the farmer's feet or crops. This idiom is often used to illustrate the capacity of the earth, as well as how it can become almost unrecognizable when it becomes over-saturated with water.

    • The city's culture soaked up the influences of the surrounding neighborhoods.

      This idiom is used to portray how the city's culture evolved with the incorporation of different cultural elements from the surrounding neighborhoods. In this context, 'soaking up' refers to the way a culture can incorporate new traditions, beliefs, or practices, much like a sponge absorbs water.Overall, 'soaked up' is a versatile idiom that can be used to depict different processes in various contexts. The idiom's usage usually requires descriptions that involve the integration of knowledge, water, or culture like a sponge or a porous material would. In each of these examples, 'soaked up' either describes the way something is ingesting or gathering something, almost as a physical process.


    Conclusion

    "Soaked up" can refer to either absorbing knowledge or becoming completely wet. When someone says they have "soaked up" information, it means they have fully understood and remembered it. On the other hand, if someone mentions being "soaked up" in water, it means they are completely wet.

    In both cases, the idiom conveys a sense of completeness or thoroughness. Whether it's understanding a concept or getting wet from head to toe, being "soaked up" implies a full and intense experience.

    Origin of "soaked up"

    The origin of the idiom "soaked up" can be traced back to the literal meanings of the words "soaked" and "up." "Soaked" refers to being thoroughly wet or saturated with liquid, while "up" often signifies completeness or fullness.

    Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass not just physical wetness but also the idea of fully absorbing or taking in something. Just as a sponge soaks up water until it can't hold anymore, to be "soaked up" in knowledge means to have absorbed as much as possible.

    The idiom's dual meanings of absorbing information and becoming wet demonstrate how language can creatively intertwine literal and figurative expressions to convey depth and richness in communication.