Question 1

What does "take up with" mean?

Accepted Answer

To begin a relationship or close association with someone, often disapprovingly.

Question 2

How do you use "take up with" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

His parents were worried he had taken up with a group of older kids who were skipping school.

Question 3

Is "take up with" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"take up with" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. The 'associate with' sense often implies parental or social disapproval ('she's taken up with a bad crowd'). The 'raise a matter' sense is more formal and common in British English administrative contexts. These two senses are distinct enough that context is essential.

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