assimilate vs soak up

assimilate

verb
  • To be incorporated or absorbed into something. 

  • To bring to a likeness or to conformity; to cause a resemblance between. 

  • To incorporate nutrients into the body, especially after digestion. 

  • To incorporate or absorb (knowledge) into the mind. 

  • To liken, compare to something similar. 

  • To become similar. 

  • To absorb (a person or people) into a community or culture. 

noun
  • Something that is or has been assimilated. 

soak up

verb
  • To absorb or draw in a substance, especially all of that substance 

  • To absorb or deflect a series of actions; to endure a behavior from someone. 

  • To enjoy some effects. 

  • To learn, especially passively or eagerly; to allow an experience to affect oneself 

How often have the words assimilate and soak up occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )