sop up v 1: take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words" [syn: {absorb}, {suck}, {imbibe}, {soak up}, {suck up}, {draw}, {take in}, {take up}] 2: take up as if with a sponge [syn: {take in}, {suck in}, {take up}]