soak up in WordNet English dictionary

1. devote (oneself) fully to
   "He immersed himself into his studies"
   steep  immerse  engulf  plunge  engross  absorb  soak up 
   
2. take in, also metaphorically
   "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words"
   absorb  suck  imbibe  soak up  sop up  suck up  draw  take in  take up