Meaning of Idiom Pick Up (Phrasal Verb)
1. To lift someone or something up from a surface.
Examples Of Use
“When the phone rang, he picked it up immediately.”
“He picked up the book from the table.”
2. To answer the phone.
Examples Of Use
“I tried to call him but he didn’t pick up.”
“My father never picks up the phone. He’s always too distracted with projects.”
3. To go and get someone in a vehicle and give them a ride somewhere.
Examples Of Use
“Can you pick me up at work today and drive me home? My car is being repaired.”
“I have to pick my son up after school.”
4. To allow someone to get into your vehicle and to transport them somewhere; especially used in regards to a taxi or other ride service.
Examples Of Use
“Never pick up hitchhikers. You never know if they are dangerous.”
“I’ll have a taxi pick me up after dinner.”
5. To rescue someone from a dangerous place or situation such as the ocean or a flood.
Examples Of Use
“They were able to pick up a number of flood survivors stranded on a roof.”
“The coast guard picked up the survivors of the boat fire and, thankfully, no one was killed.”
6. To go get, collect, or buy something as from a shop.
Examples Of Use
“Can you pick up some milk from the store on your way home?”
“My cousin borrowed some of my tools. Can you pick them up for me while you’re out?”
7. To buy something, especially at a bargain or cheaply.
Examples Of Use
“I picked up some real bargains at the flea market.”
“Do you like my new car? I was able to pick it up for cheap.”
8. To put things away and make things neat; to tidy up.
Examples Of Use
“I’m tired of picking up after you. You need to clean up your own messes.”
“My mother is coming so I need to pick up around the house.”
9. To receive an electronic or radio signal, such as a television picture; to capture a sound, as with a microphone or recording device.
Examples Of Use
“We can only pick up two TV channels around here.”
“The only radio stations I can pick up are a country station and a gospel station.”
10. To learn a new skill or acquire a new habit without intending to, by happenstance, chance, or continual exposure.
Examples Of Use
“The best way to pick up a language is to live in a place where they speak it.”
“I picked up some bad habits during my layoff. It’s hard to get back in the groove of work.”
11. To get better or stronger; to increase or improve.
Examples Of Use
“Business picks up in the summer when the tourists arrive.”
“The wind is really picking up outside. I think a storm is brewing.”
“The doctor said his health is picking up and he’ll be out of the hospital soon.”
12. To start again or continue, especially after an interruption or pause. Used often in regards to conversations.
Examples Of Use
“Let’s pick this up tomorrow. I have an appointment to get to.”
“Ok, class, we’ll pick up where we left off yesterday.”
13. To acquire an illness such as a virus or infection.
Examples Of Use
“I picked up a nasty bug or something. I can’t come to work today.”
“Be careful going to the concert. The last thing you want to do is pick up a case of Covid.”
14. To earn money especially if it is a large amount, seems undeserved or excessive.
Examples Of Use
“The huge salaries professional athletes pick up these days are ridiculous.”
“I picked up a big bonus at work. It’s really going to help.”
15. To win something like a prize or other honor.
Examples Of Use
“The movie picked up three Oscars including one for best lead actor.”
“They didn’t win any team prizes but they will surely pick up some individual medals.”
16. To notice or recognize something such as a smell or sound, especially something hard to detect or not very obvious.
Examples Of Use
“The dogs picked up a scent immediately.”
“The witness picked up the sound of voices next door where nobody lives.”
17. To find and follow a certain path or route.
Examples Of Use
“The dogs picked up the trail of a fox but never caught up with it.”
“We can pick up the main highway after this next traffic signal.”
18. To pay for something as in ‘to pick up the bill’ or ‘pick up the tab.’
Examples Of Use
“The boss took me out to dinner and picked up the bill.”
“Can you pick up the tab tonight? I left my wallet at home.”
19. To arrest someone or take someone to a police station for questioning.
Examples Of Use
“The police picked up a suspect in last night’s robbery.”
“My brother got picked up by the cops yesterday. I have to go bail him out.”
20. To make someone feel better or more energetic, less depressed, etc.
Examples Of Use
“Have some coffee. It’ll pick you up.”
“I need something to pick me up. I’ve been feeling so depressed lately.”
21. To start talking to someone for the purpose of having sex with them.
Examples Of Use
“He tried to pick up every woman in the bar but they all shot him down.”
“Are you trying to pick me up? I’m married, you know.”
22. To stand up after you have fallen down (also used figuratively).
Examples Of Use
“He picked himself up off the floor and only then noticed he had injured his ankle.”
“I tripped and cut my knee badly but I picked myself up and kept on running.”
“I know it’s hard after a loss like this but you have to pick yourself up and carry on.”
23. To decide to do something or to take responsibility for something extra or additional.
Examples Of Use
“I picked up a few extra shifts at work. I need the money.”
“He picked up a second job to help pay the medical bills.”
24. To pick up speed: To increase in speed.
Examples Of Use
“The car picked up speed gradually until it reached over 200 miles an hour.”
“The small boat picked up speed as it neared the rapids.”
25. To pick up the pieces: To try to restore one’s life or situation to normal after a shock or disaster; to recover from difficulty.
Examples Of Use
“He left suddenly leaving her to pick up the pieces of the mess he’d made in their lives.”
“It’s taken a while to pick up the pieces after my bankruptcy.”
