Phrasal verb
pick up
Meanings
to go and collect someone or something from a place
to lift something from a surface with your hand
to learn, notice, or acquire something through experience or observation
Definition
“Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
“Pick up” is a common phrasal verb with several everyday meanings. It often means to go to a place to collect a person or thing and take them away. It can also mean to lift something from a surface, or to learn/notice something quickly through experience or observation.
Examples
- I’ll pick up my sister after her class ends.
- Can you pick up the package from the front desk?
- He picked up the coin and put it in his pocket.
- She picked up a few Italian phrases while traveling.
- They picked up on the tension in the room right away.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “pick up” (collect/learn) with “pick out” (choose) and say “pick up a shirt” when they mean “pick out a shirt.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.
- come back To come back means to return to a place or to return again after leaving.