1
as in mastering
to acquire complete knowledge, understanding, or skill in
he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks
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2
as in assembling
to bring together in one body or place
pick up all of your things because we have to be off this beach before dark
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3
as in buying
to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for
could you pick up some milk at the store?
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4
as in growing (in)
to gradually increase in
the boat was just picking up speed when it was rammed by another boat
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5
as in lifting
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
pick up your feet while I vacuum in front of the sofa
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6
as in arresting
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
police picked up the fugitive when she went out to buy food
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7
as in cleaning house
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff
I thought you said you had picked up, so why are these things still lying around the rec room?
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8
as in resuming
to begin again or return to after an interruption
after the protestors were removed from the auditorium, the speaker picked up his lecture right where he had left off
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9
as in trimming
to make neat
the boy's bedroom looked like it hadn't been picked up in quite a while
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Cite this Entry
“Picking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/picking%20up. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.
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