take up space

take up space

1. Literally, to fill or occupy a certain amount of volume, often specified through the use of modifiers. I really like this table, but I think it will take up too much space in the kitchen. It's a gorgeous TV, and because it's so slim, it doesn't take up a lot of space.
2. To be completely useless; that is, to do nothing but occupy space. Bill, quit taking up space and help me out here! They were handling the situation so deftly on their own that I felt like I was just taking up space.
See also: space, take, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

take up space

 and take up room
to fill or occupy space. (Note the variations in the examples.) The piano is taking up too much room in our living room. John, you're not being any help at all. You're just taking up space.
See also: space, take, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

take up space

Also, take up room or time . See take up, def. 6.
See also: space, take, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • take up room
  • give some thought to
  • give thought to (something)
  • give (something) thought
  • toss a salad
  • toss salad
  • make (one's) position clear
  • make position clear
  • stand off from
  • stand off from (someone or something)