pick up
pick
pɪk
pik
up
ʌp
ap
British pronunciation
/ˈpɪk ˈʌp/

Definition & Meaning of "pick up"in English

to pick up
[phrase form: pick]
01

to take and lift something or someone up

Transitive: to pick up sb/sth
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Examples
He picked the suitcase up and walked to the taxi stand.
02

to let a person waiting by a road or street to get inside one's vehicle and give them a ride

Transitive: to pick up a passenger
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Examples
I picked two backpackers up who were heading in the same direction.
03

to answer a ringing phone

Intransitive
Transitive: to pick up the phone
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Examples
Can you pick up the phone? I'm busy cooking.
04

to retrieve an item from a location where it was left

Transitive: to pick up sth
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Examples
Lisa realized she left her keys at the office and had to go back to pick them up before heading home.
05

to experience a positive rise in something

Intransitive
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Examples
After a quiet winter, hotel bookings began to pick up in spring.
06

to take on a role of authority or leadership

Transitive: to pick up a position of authority
example
Examples
After the revolution, it was uncertain who would pick up power.
07

to learn about something, typically without intending to

Transitive: to pick up knowledge
example
Examples
I picked up a few French phrases while vacationing in Paris.
08

to arrest someone

Transitive: to pick up sb
InformalInformal
example
Examples
The police picked the thief up after a short chase.
09

(of a color) to enhance or complement another color by being of a similar shade

Transitive: to pick up a color
example
Examples
The navy blue scarf picked up the subtle tones in her dress, creating a harmonious ensemble.
10

to purchase something

Transitive: to pick up sth
example
Examples
She picked up a few books from the sale.
11

to boost someone's spirits

Transitive: to pick up sb/sth
example
Examples
Seeing her child's smile picked her up instantly.
12

to recover one's strength, often after a period of fatigue

Intransitive
example
Examples
After a nap, she picked up and felt ready to continue her work.
13

to approach someone, often with a romantic or sexual intent

Transitive: to pick up sb
InformalInformal
example
Examples
He was notorious for trying to pick women up wherever he went.
14

to notice something, such as a sense, sign, etc.

Transitive: to pick up a sense or sign
example
Examples
With his keen hearing, he can pick up the slightest sound in the night.
15

to acquire a new skill or language through practice and application rather than formal instruction

Transitive: to pick up a skill or language
example
Examples
He picked up a bit of Italian while traveling through Italy.
16

(of the wind or other natural forces) to increase in strength or intensity

Intransitive
example
Examples
As the storm approached, the wind picked up and the waves grew higher.
17

to receive or detect a signal or transmission from a radio station or other broadcasting device

Transitive: to pick up a signal
example
Examples
On this device, we can pick up even the weakest signals.
18

to resume something, a story, activity, or relationship

Transitive: to pick up an activity
example
Examples
After the summer break, the teacher decided to pick up the lessons from where they had left.
19

to catch an infectious disease or illness from someone or something

Transitive: to pick up a disease
example
Examples
On his trip to the village, he picked up a stomach bug.
20

to increase in speed or pace suddenly or gradually

Intransitive
example
Examples
After a slow start, the runner picked up and finished strong.
21

to stand up again after falling

Transitive: to pick up oneself
example
Examples
She was pushed during the game but swiftly picked herself up and kept playing.
22

to restore order or cleanliness to a space or object that has become disorganized or messy

Dialectamerican flagAmerican
Transitive: to pick up sth
example
Examples
Can you help me pick up the fallen leaves in the garden?
23

to go to a place in a vehicle to collect someone who is waiting for one

example
Examples
I'll pick you up at the airport.
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