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Meaning & use

picks up

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌpɪks ˈʌp/
US/ˌpɪks ˈʌp/

“picks up” is a form of “pick up”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Lifts or collects something or someone.

    Grammar: Can take an object: 'picks up the book' or 'picks the book up'.

    Patterns

    • picks up something
    • picks something up
    • picks up someone

    He picks up his toys every evening.

    She picks up the phone on the first ring.

    The robot picks up objects from the floor.

  2. verbtransitive

    Learns or acquires something gradually, often without formal teaching.

    Grammar: Takes an object: 'picks up a language'.

    Patterns

    • picks up a skill
    • picks up a habit

    She picks up new words quickly when she travels.

    He picks up bad habits from his friends.

    Children picks up languages easily.

  3. verbtransitive

    Collects someone or something from a place.

    Grammar: Takes an object: 'picks up the kids'.

    Patterns

    • picks up someone
    • picks someone up

    He picks up his daughter from school at 3 p.m.

    The courier picks up packages every morning.

    She picks up her friend from the airport.

  4. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Answers a phone or continues after an interruption.

    Grammar: Often used with 'phone' or 'where we left off'.

    Patterns

    • picks up the phone
    • picks up where we left off

    She never picks up the phone after 10 p.m.

    The meeting picks up where we stopped yesterday.

    He picks up the conversation as if nothing happened.

Word forms

third person singularpicks up
past tensepicked up
past participlepicked up
-ing formpicking up

Common combinations

picks up speed
The train picks up speed after leaving the station.
picks up the tab
My boss picks up the tab for lunch.
picks up the pieces
After the storm, the family picks up the pieces.
picks up a signal
The antenna picks up a clear signal.

Synonyms and how they differ

lifts
Focuses on raising something; 'picks up' often implies collecting or grabbing.
collects
Emphasizes gathering items; 'picks up' is more informal and can mean lifting.
acquires
More formal, used for skills or knowledge; 'picks up' suggests casual learning.

Opposites

puts downdrops

Word family

pick up phrasal verb
Base form; to lift, collect, or learn.
pickup noun
A small truck or the act of collecting.

Commonly confused: picks up or pick up?

picks up vs pick up

The base form; 'picks up' is third person singular present tense.

Practice

He _____ his sister from the airport every Sunday.

Make it your own

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