pick up

US /pɪk ʌp/
UK /pɪk ʌp/
"pick up" picture
1.

to lift something or someone up

:
•
Can you pick up the fallen leaves in the yard?
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She went to pick up her child from school.
:
liftcollectretrievegatherhoist
2.

to learn something new, often informally or by experience

:
•
He managed to pick up some Spanish while traveling.
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I quickly picked up how to use the new software.
:
learnacquiregraspmasterunderstand
3.

to improve or increase

:
•
Business has really started to pick up recently.
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The wind began to pick up in the afternoon.
:
improveincreaserecoverstrengthenaccelerate
4.

to notice or become aware of something

:
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Did you pick up on his nervousness during the presentation?
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The microphone was able to pick up faint sounds.
:
noticedetectperceivediscernsense
5.

to answer a telephone call

:
•
Could you please pick up the phone?
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I tried calling, but no one picked up.
:
answerrespondtake the call
:
pick up onpick up the piecespick up the bill forpickpickingpick atpick on