1
general::
1. Absorb, take in, as in I lay there, soaking up the sun, or She often went to hear poets read their work, soaking up every word. This usage, alluding to absorbing a liquid, dates from the mid-1500s. 2. Drink to excess, as in She can really soak up her beer.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): soak something up
1. Lit. to gather up moisture or a liquid, using an absorbent cloth, paper, etc. • Alice soaked the spill up with a sponge. • She soaked up the spilled milk. 2. Lit. [for cloth, paper, or other absorbent material] to absorb moisture or a liquid. • Please get some paper towels to soak the spill up. • The sponge soaked up the orange juice. 3. Fig. to learn or absorb some information; to learn much information. • I can’t soak information up as fast as I used to be able to. • The tourists will soak up anything you tell them.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs