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Glite Dictionary
to soak up knowledge

to soak up knowledge

1 4.0
To take in new information quickly and easily
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : absorber conocimiento

Examples

  • Although adept at soaking up knowledge, received knowers do not try to understand an idea, develop opinions, or consider themselves capable of building knowledge.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Recognize that once his hands and eyes are mildly entertained, his brain is a sponge waiting to soak up knowledge.

    Blog text (18)

  • College enables you an opportunity like no other for social situations, to soak up knowledge about whatever you find interesting, to develop critical thinking and debate skills, to learn about yourself away from the comfort of home, and to become moderately independent before hitting "the real world."

    Blog text (33)

  • As a curious student, she loves to soak up knowledge whenever she visits the library.

  • During his summer internship, he was eager to soak up knowledge from experienced professionals in the field.

  • The workshop allowed participants to soak up knowledge about the latest teaching techniques.

Synonyms

to absorb
vsto soak up knowledge
217 3.0

To take in things such as liquid, light, or information

is quicker and more eager in taking information
to digest
vsto soak up knowledge
45 4.5

To think about new information until you understand it

is more effortless and eager intake rather than slow processing
to take in
vsto soak up knowledge
37 3.2

Understand new information or ideas

is about eager, easy absorption rather than just understanding
to assimilate
vsto soak up knowledge
22 5.5

Take in and understand new ideas or information

is more immediate and eager rather than gradual integration
to soak up
vsto soak up knowledge
  • Informal
16 3.9

To take in and enjoy the atmosphere or information

is more about eager and easy intake rather than slow depth
to imbibe
vsto soak up knowledge
9 7.4

Drink alcohol or absorb ideas and knowledge

is more casual and eager in learning than formal uptake
to sop up
vsto soak up knowledge
3.7

To take in liquid or things like information and feelings

is focused on eager and easy learning rather than literal soaking

Antonyms

to reject
839 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

How Knowledgeable

to master
191 4.1
to soak up knowledge
  • Informal
1 4.0
to learn
∞ 1.0
to pick up
∞ 2.6
to hear
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

soak up knowledge infinitive
soaked up knowledge past
soaked up knowledge past participle
soaking up knowledge present participle
soaks up knowledge third person singular

Morphology

soak + up + knowledge

The phrase uses the literal sense of 'soak' (to absorb) plus the particle 'up' (denoting completeness) applied metaphorically to 'knowledge', so a learner who knows the constituent words can plausibly infer 'absorb information'. However, this involves a common metaphorical transfer from physical absorption to learning, so the sense is not purely compositional but is regularly predictable across languages.

Etymology

The phrase soak up knowledge comes from the image of a sponge. When a sponge soaks up water, it quickly takes the water in, so someone who soaks up knowledge 'absorbs information or ideas eagerly and easily'.