I.up [美 əp, 英 ʌp]副up often appears as the second element of certain verb structures in English (back up, pick up, sit up, etc). For translations, see the relevant verb entry (back, pick, sit, etc).
Most predators associate bright colors with poison (called aposematism), so if attacked, the newt will take up a defensive position, showing off the bright underbelly.
Nevertheless, the following month, the local legislature decided not to take up the initiative, following widespread opposition from right-wing groups.