I . ˌpick sth ˈup
➡ pick up
II . ˌpick sth ↔ ˈup
1.
to get information or a skill by chance rather than by making a deliberate effort :
to pick up bad habits
Here's a tip I picked up from my mother.
She picked up Spanish when she was living in Mexico.
2.
to identify or recognize sth :
Scientists can now pick up early signs of the disease.
3.
to collect sth from a place :
I picked up my coat from the cleaners.
—related noun pickup
4.
to buy sth, especially cheaply or by chance :
We managed to pick up a few bargains at the auction.
5.
to get or obtain sth :
I seem to have picked up a terrible cold from somewhere.
I picked up £30 in tips today.
6.
to find and follow a route :
to pick up the scent of an animal
We can pick up the motorway in a few miles.
7.
to return to an earlier subject or situation in order to continue it
SYN take up :
He picks up this theme again in later chapters of the book.
8.
to notice sth that is not very obvious; to see sth that you are looking for :
I picked up the faint sound of a car in the distance.
9.
( especially NAmE ) to put things away neatly :
Will you pick up all your toys?
10.
( NAmE ) to put things away and make a room neat :
to pick up a room