Phrasal Verb: Take up

Meaning: Fill or occupy time or space

Example: An awful lot of my time at work is TAKEN UP with pointless bureaucracy nowadays.

Meaning: Make clothes shorter

Example: The trousers were too long so I TOOK them UP to make them fit.

Meaning: Start a new hobby, pastime, etc.

Example: He TOOK UP squash as he felt he had to lose some weight.