English to English
verb
- take and lift upward
source: WordNet 3.0
- take up by hand
He picked up the book and started to read.
source: WordNet 3.0
- give a passenger or a hitchhiker a lift
We picked up a hitchhiker on the highway.
source: WordNet 3.0
- gather or collect
You can get the results on Monday.
She picked up the children at the day care center.
They pick up our trash twice a week.
source: WordNet 3.0
- get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally
I learned that she has two grown-up children.
I see that you have been promoted.
source: WordNet 3.0
- get in addition, as an increase
The candidate picked up thousands of votes after his visit to the nursing home.
source: WordNet 3.0
- take into custody
The police nabbed the suspected criminals.
source: WordNet 3.0
- buy casually or spontaneously
I picked up some food for a snack.
source: WordNet 3.0
- register (perceptual input)
Pick up a signal.
source: WordNet 3.0
- lift out or reflect from a background
The scarf picks up the color of the skirt.
His eyes picked up his smile.
source: WordNet 3.0
- meet someone for sexual purposes
He always tries to pick up girls in bars.
source: WordNet 3.0
- fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
Music can uplift your spirits.
source: WordNet 3.0
- improve significantly; go from bad to good
Her performance in school picked up.
source: WordNet 3.0
- perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily
I caught the aroma of coffee.
He caught the allusion in her glance.
Ears open to catch every sound.
The dog picked up the scent.
Catch a glimpse.
source: WordNet 3.0
- eat by pecking at, like a bird
source: WordNet 3.0
- gain or regain energy
I picked up after a nap.
source: WordNet 3.0
