Pick up
volume
British pronunciation/pˈɪk ˈʌp/
American pronunciation/pˈɪk ˈʌp/

Definition & Meaning of "pick up"

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
Example
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He picked the suitcase up and walked to the taxi stand.
She picked her cat up to keep it from scratching the furniture.
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
Example
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I picked two backpackers up who were heading in the same direction.
She stops to pick up strangers stranded in the rain.
03

to retrieve an item from a location where it was left

Transitive: to pick up sth
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Example
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Lisa realized she left her keys at the office and had to go back to pick them up before heading home.
I need to pick up my dry cleaning before the shop closes.
04

to experience a positive rise in something

Intransitive
to pick up definition and meaning
example
Example
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After a quiet winter, hotel bookings began to pick up in spring.
Business always picks up during the holiday season.
05

to take on a role of authority or leadership

Transitive: to pick up a position of authority
example
Example
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After the revolution, it was uncertain who would pick up power.
When the CEO retired, her successor was ready to pick up the reins.
06

to learn about something, typically without intending to

Transitive: to pick up knowledge
example
Example
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I picked up a few French phrases while vacationing in Paris.
You can pick up a lot of interesting facts in museums.
07

to arrest someone

Transitive: to pick up sb
InformalInformal
example
Example
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The police picked the thief up after a short chase.
They picked him up for questioning.
08

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

Transitive: to pick up a color
example
Example
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The navy blue scarf picked up the subtle tones in her dress, creating a harmonious ensemble.
The soft beige curtains pick up the warm hues of the wooden furniture in the room.
09

to purchase something

Transitive: to pick up sth
example
Example
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She picked up a few books from the sale.
I picked up some groceries on my way home.
10

to boost someone's spirits

Transitive: to pick up sb/sth
example
Example
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Seeing her child's smile picked her up instantly.
After a week of rain, the forecast of sunshine picked up the town's spirits.
11

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

Intransitive
example
Example
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After a nap, she picked up and felt ready to continue her work.
After the second set, the tennis player picked up and dominated the game.
12

to approach someone, often with a romantic or sexual intent

Transitive: to pick up sb
InformalInformal
example
Example
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He was notorious for trying to pick women up wherever he went.
She 's not the type to pick up guys at a club.
13

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

Transitive: to pick up a sense or sign
example
Example
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With his keen hearing, he can pick up the slightest sound in the night.
It took me a moment to pick up the sarcasm in his voice.
14

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

Transitive: to pick up a skill or language
example
Example
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He picked up a bit of Italian while traveling through Italy.
You 'd be surprised how quickly children pick up new technology.
15

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

Intransitive
example
Example
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As the storm approached, the wind picked up and the waves grew higher.
The forecast says the rain will pick up by the afternoon.
16

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

Transitive: to pick up a signal
example
Example
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On this device, we can pick up even the weakest signals.
I can pick up the local radio station in this area.
17

to resume something, a story, activity, or relationship

Transitive: to pick up an activity
example
Example
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After the summer break, the teacher decided to pick up the lessons from where they had left.
They had a disagreement last year, but now they 're trying to pick up their friendship again.
18

to catch an infectious disease or illness from someone or something

Transitive: to pick up a disease
example
Example
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On his trip to the village, he picked up a stomach bug.
After swimming in the contaminated pool, many people picked up skin rashes.
19

to increase in speed or pace suddenly or gradually

Intransitive
example
Example
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After a slow start, the runner picked up and finished strong.
Business usually picks up during the holiday season
20

to stand up again after falling

Transitive: to pick up oneself
example
Example
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She was pushed during the game but swiftly picked herself up and kept playing.
After tripping on the sidewalk, she quickly picked herself up.
21

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

Transitive: to pick up sth
example
Example
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Can you help me pick up the fallen leaves in the garden?
Please pick your toys up and put them away before bedtime.
22

to answer a ringing phone

Intransitive
Transitive: to pick up the phone
example
Example
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Can you pick up the phone?
The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.
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