" take up the cudgels "

1: to move from a lower to a higher place or position;

  * e.g., " ... please take up the blanket so I can look underneath it "

•  Synonyms : 

•  boost,

•  crane,

•  elevate,

•  heave,

•  heft,

•  heighten,

•  hike,

•  hoist,

•  jack (up),

•  lift,

•  perk (up),

•  pick up,

•  raise,

•  up,

•  uphold,

•  uplift,

•  upraise

•  Antonyms : 

•  drop,

•  lower

2: to take in (something liquid) through small openings;

  * e.g., " ... the soil was so dry that the plant seemed to take up the much-needed water instantly "

•  Synonyms : 

•  absorb,

•  drink,

•  imbibe,

•  soak (up),

•  sponge,

•  suck (up)

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)

3: to take for one's own use (something originated by another);

  * e.g., " ... one cluster of fans started chanting the team name of the champions, and the crowd quickly took up the cry "

•  Synonyms : 

•  adopt,

•  borrow,

•  embrace,

•  espouse,

•  take on

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)