soak up

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.

The verb has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: take in, also metaphorically
  Synonyms: absorb, suck, imbibe, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up

Meaning #2: engross (oneself) fully
  Synonyms: steep, immerse, engulf, plunge, engross, absorb