1 B1 idiomatic informal
Used as a command or encouragement to go faster or put in more effort.
"Come on, everyone, pick it up! We only have two kilometres left!"
pick it up
B1 informal transitive
An informal command or encouragement to go faster, work harder, or increase energy and pace.
In plain English
To go faster or try harder — used as an encouragement or instruction.
What does "pick it up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To lift a physical object from the ground or a surface.
"You dropped your pen — can you pick it up, please?"
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically lift something from the ground.
Actually means
To go faster or try harder — used as an encouragement or instruction.
Usage tip
Often used as a standalone command in exercise classes, sports coaching, and informal work contexts. It is the pronoun-embedded form of 'pick up' (meaning to increase speed or effort). Also can refer literally to picking up a physical object, but the motivational sense is more notable as a fixed expression. Common in American and British English.
Words that pair with "pick it up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pace speed effort game performance
How to conjugate "pick it up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pick it up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks it up
he/she/it
Past simple
picked it up
yesterday
Past participle
picked it up
have + pp
-ing form
picking it up
continuous
Hear "pick it up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pick it up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pick it up"
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Keep exploring
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