___ up (absorb) (3)
(Other definitions for soak that I've seen before include "Marinate" , "Make extremely wet" , "Steep (in fluid)" , "Habitual drinker (slang)" , "Steep in water" .)
(Other definitions for sop that I've seen before include "Something of no great value given to appease" , "usual way of doing things, initially" , "A bribe or appeasement" , "Bread dipped in gravy" , "Propitiatory gift" .)