refrain vs take up

refrain

verb
  • To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain. 

  • To abstain from (food or drink). 

noun
  • The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza. 

  • A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying. 

take up

verb
  • To begin doing (an activity) on a regular basis. 

  • To accept (a proposal, offer, request, etc.) from. 

  • To implement, to employ, to put into use. 

  • To review the solutions to a test or other assessment with a class. 

  • To occupy; to consume (space or time). 

  • Synonym of take in (“tighten a belaying rope”) 

  • To resume. 

  • To pick up. 

  • To address (an issue). 

  • To shorten by hemming. 

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