pick up on
To notice something small or hidden that other people might have missed.
Meanings
To notice or become aware of a subtle signal, feeling, or hint.
"Dogs are very good at picking up on their owner's emotional state."
To draw attention to something someone has said, especially an error or an important point.
"I'd like to pick up on something the previous speaker said about the statistics."
Used to describe noticing subtle emotional signals, nonverbal cues, or implicit messages. Also used for pointing out something that was said in a conversation — especially something incorrect or significant. Common in therapy, communication, and analytical contexts. Widely used in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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