1 A2 neutral
To lift something from the ground or a surface.
"Could you pick up that pen you dropped?"
separable
pick up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To lift something from the ground, collect someone or something, learn informally, or improve.
In plain English
To lift something, go and get someone, or learn something without really trying.
What does "pick up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To collect someone from a place, often by car.
"I'll pick the kids up from school at half three."
separable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
To learn or acquire a skill, habit, or language informally, without deliberate study.
"She picked up a few words of Japanese just from living in Tokyo for a year."
separable
4 B1 idiomatic neutral
To improve or increase after a period of decline (intransitive).
"Sales really picked up in the second half of the year."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pick (lift) something up (from a lower position).
Actually means
To lift something, go and get someone, or learn something without really trying.
Usage tip
One of the most common and versatile phrasal verbs in English with many distinct senses. Very common in everyday speech and writing. The sense of 'collecting someone' is frequently used for driving contexts. The 'learning informally' sense is very useful for language learners. The 'improving' sense is intransitive. Common in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "pick up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
speed children habit language signal pieces
How to conjugate "pick up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pick up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks up
he/she/it
Past simple
picked up
yesterday
Past participle
picked up
have + pp
-ing form
picking up
continuous
Hear "pick up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pick up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pick up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
acquire collect gather improve learn lift
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