pick up

pick up

verb

Definition of PICK UP

transitive verb

1

a : to take hold of and lift up

b : to gather together : collect <picked up all the pieces>

c : to clean up : tidy

2

: to take (passengers or freight) into a vehicle

3

a : to acquire casually or by chance <picked up a valuable antique at an auction>

b : to acquire by study or experience : learn <picking up a great deal of knowledge in the process — Robert Schleicher>

c : to obtain especially by payment : buy <picked up some groceries>

d : to acquire (a player) especially from another team through a trade or by financial recompense

e : to accept for the purpose of paying <offered to pick up the tab>

f : to come down with : catch <picked up a cold>

g : gain, earn <picked up a few yards on the last play> <picked up her first victory>

4

a : to enter informally into conversation or companionship with (a previously unknown person) <had a brief affair with a girl he picked up in a bar>

b : to take into custody <the police picked up the fugitive>

5

a : to catch sight of : perceive <picked up the harbor lights>

b : to come to and follow <picked up the outlaw's trail>

c : to bring within range of sight or hearing <pick up distant radio signals>

d : understand, catch <didn't pick up the hint>

6

a : revive

b : increase

7

: to resume after a break : continue <pick up the discussion tomorrow>

8

: to assume responsibility for guarding (an opponent) in an athletic contest

intransitive verb

1

: to recover or increase speed, vigor, or activity : improve <after the strike, business picked up> <the wind began to pick up>

2

: to put things in order <was always picking up after her>

3

: to pack up one's belongings <couldn't just pick up and leave>

— pick up on

1

a : understand, appreciate

b : to become aware of : notice

2

: to adopt as one's own : take up

Examples of PICK UP

1. <he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks>
2. <pick up all of your things because we have to be off this beach before dark>

First Known Use of PICK UP

14th century

Related to PICK UP

Synonyms

get, master, learn

Antonyms

unlearn

Related Words

apprehend, comprehend, grasp, know, understand; absorb, assimilate, digest, drink (in), imbibe; ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig up, discern, discover, examine, find out, hear, hit (on or upon), run down, scare up, search (for), see, track (down), tumble (to), unearth; major (in), study; memorize

Near Antonyms

forget; misunderstand; miss, overlook; disregard, ignore, neglect