Pick Up – And Its Many Different Faces

Why Students Fear Phrasal Verbs

When you ask a student what they don’t like about learning English, many say the same thing: phrasal verbs. And, yeah, they can be a pain-in-the-bum — but if we pay attention to context, we can often guess the meaning.

Students are also sometimes afraid to use a newly learned phrasal verb because they don’t want to make a mistake. But remember:

• They’re usually just replacements for normal words or phrases.
• They help you sound more natural.
• Native speakers use them constantly.

And one of the biggest, busiest phrasal verbs of all time is: pick up.

Here are the most common and useful meanings of this “mack-daddy” phrasal verb.

10 Common Meanings of “Pick Up”

1. Continue after a break

Example: Let’s have lunch and then we can pick it up again after we’ve eaten.

2. Lift something

Example: It’s too heavy for me. I’ve tried to pick it up, but I can’t.

3. Answer the phone

Example: He called while I was in the shower, so I couldn’t pick up.

4. Improve (health or business)

Example: How’s your mum? She’s picked up and will hopefully be back at work soon.

Example: After we started advertising online, business really picked up.

5. Notice and criticise (pick up on something)

Example: Make sure the room is clean — the landlord will pick up on it!

6. Collect someone or something

Example: I need to pick dad up at the airport and then pick up your parcel.

7. Learn quickly / learn without effort

Example: It’s hard at first, but you’ll pick it up.

Example: I was in France and picked up some phrases.

8. Be arrested by police

Example: He was on his way home when the police picked him up for drink driving.

9. Catch an illness

Example: I’ve picked up a cold, so I’m not feeling great.

10. Receive a signal / frequency

Example: My new speaker is great, but my laptop doesn’t pick it up.

Example: When I was younger, we could pick up a few German TV channels.

There you go — now go and use them. Don’t be afraid!