Meaning of the word "pick up" in English

What does "pick up" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

pick up

US /pɪk ʌp/

UK /pɪk ʌp/

to lift something or someone up

Example:

•

Can you pick up the fallen leaves in the yard?

•

She went to pick up her child from school.

Synonym:

lift collect retrieve gather hoist

to learn something new, often informally or by experience

Example:

•

He managed to pick up some Spanish while traveling.

•

I quickly picked up how to use the new software.

Synonym:

learn acquire grasp master understand

to improve or increase

Example:

•

Business has really started to pick up recently.

•

The wind began to pick up in the afternoon.

Synonym:

improve increase recover strengthen accelerate

to notice or become aware of something

Example:

•

Did you pick up on his nervousness during the presentation?

•

The microphone was able to pick up faint sounds.

Synonym:

notice detect perceive discern sense

to answer a telephone call

Example:

•

Could you please pick up the phone?

•

I tried calling, but no one picked up.

Synonym:

answer respond take the call

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