In this video, I'm going to explain the meanings of a very common phrasal verb in English,
pick up.
You'll find this phrasal verb useful in everyday conversation.
Here, I give you 25 meanings and uses.
So, here we go...
Pick up meaning 1: To lift someone or something up from a surface, such as a floor or a table.
Examples: When the phone rang, he picked it up immediately.
He picked up the book from the table.
Pick up meaning 2: To answer the phone.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 3: To go out and get someone in a vehicle and give them a ride somewhere.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 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: Never pick up hitchhikers.
You never know if they are dangerous.
I'll have a taxi pick me up after dinner.
Pick up meaning 5: To rescue someone from a dangerous place or situation such as the
ocean or a flood.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 6: To go get, collect, or buy something as from a shop.
Examples: 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?
Pick up meaning 7: To buy something, especially at a bargain or cheaply.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 8: To put things away and make things neat; to tidy up.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 9: To receive an electronic or radio signal, such as a television picture;
to pick up a sound, as with a microphone or recording device.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 10: To learn a new skill or acquire a new habit without intending to,
by happenstance, chance, or continual exposure.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 11: To get better or stronger; to increase or improve.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 12.
To start again or continue, especially after an interruption or pause; used often in regards
to conversations.
Examples: Let's pick this up tomorrow.
I have an appointment to get to.
Ok, class, we'll pick up where we left off yesterday.
Pick Up meaning 13: To acquire an illness such as a virus or infection.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 14: To earn money especially if it is a large amount, seems undeserved
or excessive.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 15.
To win something like a prize or other honor.
Examples: 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.
Pickup meaning 16: To notice or recognize something such as a smell or sound, especially
something hard to detect or not very obvious.
Examples: The dogs picked up a scent immediately.
The witness picked up the sound of voices next door where nobody lives.
Meaning number 17: To find and follow a certain path or route.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 18: To pay for something as in 'to pick up the bill' or 'pick up the tab.'
Examples: 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.
Pickup meaning 19: To arrest someone or take someone to a police station for questioning.
Examples: 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.
Pickup Meaning 20: To make someone feel better or more energetic, less depressed, etc.
Examples: Have some coffee.
It'll pick you up.
I need something to pick me up.
I've been feeling so depressed lately.
Pick up meaning 21: To start talking to someone for the purpose of having sex with them.
Examples: 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.
Pick up meaning 22: To stand up after you have fallen down (also used figuratively).
Examples: 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.
Pickup meaning 23: To decide to do something or to take responsibility for something extra
or additional.
Examples: 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 pick up speed is to increase in speed.
Examples: 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
pick up the pieces is to try to restore one's life or situation to normal after a shock
or disaster; to recover from difficulty.
Examples: 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.