pick up - Definition & Meaning | VisualLang Dictionary

pick up

Third Person

picks up

Present Participle

picking up

Past Tense

picked up

Past Participle

picked up

to take and lift something or someone up

transitive

He picked the suitcase up and walked to the taxi stand.
She picked her cat up to keep it from scratching the furniture.
She picked up the newspaper from the porch in the morning.
The kids have to pick up their toys before bedtime.
The police officer picks up the evidence with a gloved hand.

Synonyms:

lift up gather up

to let a person waiting by a road or street to get inside one's vehicle and give them a ride

transitive

I picked two backpackers up who were heading in the same direction.
She stops to pick up strangers stranded in the rain.
I don't usually pick up hitchhikers, but it was pouring rain.
The bus picks up passengers from that stop every hour.
I picked a stranded tourist up on my way to the city center.

to answer a ringing phone

Can you pick up the phone?I'm busy cooking.
The phone rang three times before he finally picked up.
I called her multiple times, but she didn't pick up.
I was about to pick up when the call got disconnected.
He heard his favorite song as a ringtone and hurried to pick up.

to retrieve an item from a location where it was left

transitive

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.
John received a notification that his package had arrived, so he went to pick it up from the courier service.
I need to pick up the books I reserved from the library later today.

Synonyms:

call for collect gather up

to experience a positive rise in something

After a quiet winter, hotel bookings began to pick up in spring.
Business always picks up during the holiday season.
As word spread about the festival, ticket sales started to pick up.
After the announcement, the stock market picked up considerably.
Once the reviews came out, sales for the book really started to pick up.

to take on a role of authority or leadership

transitive

After the revolution, it was uncertain who would pick up power.
When the CEO retired, her successor was ready to pick up the reins.
She picked up the mantle of leadership after the unexpected resignation of the previous leader.
The young prince was not ready to pick up the throne.

to learn about something, typically without intending to

transitive

I picked up a few French phrases while vacationing in Paris.
You can pick up a lot of interesting facts in museums.
I picked some interesting facts up during the tour.
She picked up some local slang while staying abroad.

Synonyms:

hear discover get word learn get wind see find out get a line

to arrest someone

transitive

The police picked the thief up after a short chase.
They picked him up for questioning.
The authorities picked up the suspect near the border.
The detective picked up the person of interest.
After the incident, several individuals were picked up by the police.

Synonyms:

cop collar arrest nab nail apprehend

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

transitive

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.
Her emerald green earrings beautifully picked up the vibrant colors in her floral blouse.
The cream-colored throw pillows pick up the delicate tones of the patterned rug.
The golden frames of the artwork pick up the highlights in the sunset painting.

to purchase something

transitive

She picked up a few books from the sale.
I picked up some groceries on my way home.
I picked it up at a vintage store downtown.
Whenever she travels, she likes to pick up souvenirs.
He picked a new jacket up during the clearance sale.

to boost someone's spirits

transitive

Seeing her child's smile picked her up instantly.
After a week of rain, the forecast of sunshine picked up the town's spirits.
The motivational speech picked everyone up.
The sunny weather picked up the mood of the entire team.
A surprise visit from his friend picked him up during his hospital stay.

Synonyms:

intoxicate uplift lift up elate

Antonyms:

depress

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

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.
The team picked up in the second half of the match.

Synonyms:

perk gain vigor perk up percolate

to approach someone, often with a romantic or sexual intent

transitive

He was notorious for trying to pick women up wherever he went.
She's not the type to pick up guys at a club.
He tried to pick up a stranger at the bar.
She's confident and often picks guys up when she goes out.

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

transitive

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.
My dog picked up the scent of another animal in the backyard.

Synonyms:

catch

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

transitive

He picked up a bit of Italian while traveling through Italy.
You'd be surprised how quickly children pick up new technology.
She never took a painting class but picked up the skill from watching online tutorials.
Without ever attending a formal class, he picked up playing the guitar by practicing with friends.
Many immigrants pick up the local dialect just by conversing with neighbors.

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

As the storm approached, the wind picked up and the waves grew higher.
The forecast says the rain will pick up by the afternoon.
The waves have really picked up since this morning; it might not be safe to surf.
I could feel the temperature drop and sensed that the storm was about to pick up.
We decided to turn back because the currents in the river had started to pick up.

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

transitive

On this device, we can pick up even the weakest signals.
I can pick up the local radio station in this area.
Can your radio pick that station up from such a long distance?
If you move to the window, you might pick up a better WiFi signal.
The satellite dish on the roof can pick up channels from all over the world.

to resume something, a story, activity, or relationship

transitive

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.
We paused our project due to lack of funds, but as soon as we secure more investment, we'll pick it up from where we left off.
I had to stop reading last night, but I'll pick it up again this evening.

to catch an infectious disease or illness from someone or something

transitive

On his trip to the village, he picked up a stomach bug.
After swimming in the contaminated pool, many people picked up skin rashes.
Due to poor hygiene conditions, it's easy to pick up infections in some areas.
She doesn't want to pick up the flu, so she always gets vaccinated
When traveling in the tropics, it's possible to pick up some unusual diseases.

to increase in speed or pace suddenly or gradually

After a slow start, the runner picked up and finished strong.
Business usually picks up during the holiday season
After the break, the team's energy seemed to pick up, leading them to a victory.
As the music reached its climax, the tempo picked up noticeably.

to stand up again after falling

transitive

She was pushed during the game but swiftly picked herself up and kept playing.
After tripping on the sidewalk, she quickly picked herself up.
The boxer was knocked out, but he managed to pick himself up before the count of ten.
After slipping on the ice, he picked himself up and checked if he was hurt.
After being tackled, the rugby player quickly picked himself up and rejoined the play.

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

transitive

Can you help me pick up the fallen leaves in the garden?
Please pick your toys up and put them away before bedtime.
I'll pick up the papers on the desk and sort them out.
The janitor quickly picked up the spilled popcorn at the cinema.
We should pick these papers up and organize them neatly on the desk.

to go to a place in a vehicle to collect someone who is waiting for one

I'll pick you up at the airport.
I have to pick up my brother from the bus stop.
She needs to pick up her friend from the station.
She picked up the kids from school yesterday.
He'll pick me up after work.