pick up — to lift or collect something from a surface or place
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to lift or collect something from a surface or place
Pronunciation (IPA): /pɪk ʌp/
Example Sentences
- My mom said she'd pick me up, but she forgot and I waited for 3 hours like a lost penguin.
- He picked up guitar playing just by watching YouTube videos.
- Could you pick up some milk on your way home? And maybe my self-esteem while you're at it?
pick up
VERB[/pɪk ʌp/]
to lift or collect something from a surface or place
He bent down to pick up the coin sparkling on the sidewalk.
Pick up packages with a hiccup, backup arrives to pick up!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Pick up combines two Old English elements: 'pick' derives from Old English 'pyccean', meaning 'to pierce or prick with a pointed object', and 'up', an adverb indicating upward direction. The phrasal verb emerged from the combination of these elements, developing the meaning 'to lift or raise'.
Breakdown
pick (to pierce or prick) + up (upward direction), where 'pick' comes from Old English 'pyccean' and 'up' functions as a directional adverb, together forming the phrasal verb meaning 'to lift or raise'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom said she'd pick me up, but she forgot and I waited for 3 hours like a lost penguin.”
“He picked up guitar playing just by watching YouTube videos.”
“Could you pick up some milk on your way home? And maybe my self-esteem while you're at it?”
“The economy is finally starting to pick up after the recession.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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