pick up

verb25

1. •
   To lift; to grasp and raise.

   • When you pick up the bag, make sure to support the bottom.
2. •
   To collect or purchase an object, especially in passing.

   • Can you pick up a pint of milk on your way home?
3. •
   To collect a passenger.

   • I'll pick you up outside the library.
4. •
   To improve, increase, or speed up.

   • Prices seem to be picking up again.
   • I was in bed sick this morning, but I'm picking up now.
5. •
   To reduce the despondency of.

   • […]they pick me up when I'm feeling blue — 1974
6. •
   To learn, to grasp; to begin to understand; to realize.

   • It looks complicated, but you'll soon pick it up.
7. •
   To answer a telephone.

   • I'm calling him, but he just isn't picking up!
8. •
   To receive calls; to function correctly.

   • I've tried his home number a couple times, but it isn't picking up.
9. •
   To restart or resume.

   • Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
10. •
    To receive (a radio signal or the like).

    • With the new antenna, I can pick up stations all the way from Omaha.
11. •
    To notice, detect or discern; to pick up on.

    • Did you pick up his nervousness?
12. •
    To acquire (something) accidentally; to catch or contract (a disease).

    • I picked up a cold on my trip last week.
13. •
    To be caught or accused of wrongdoing, usually criminal charges.

    • He picked up a parole violation last month.
14. •
    To collect and detain (a suspect).

    • The cops have picked up the man they were looking for.
15. •
    (informal) To meet and seduce somebody for romantic purposes, especially in a social situation.

    • He was in the fabric store not to buy fabric but to pick up women.
16. •
    To clean up; to return to an organized state.

    • You made a mess, aren't you going to pick up after yourself?
17. •
    To obtain and publish a story, news item, etc.

    • The story does not seem to have been widely picked up.
18. •
    To pay for.

    • The company will pick up lunch with customers for sales calls.
19. •
    To record; to notch up.

    • And the home side survived without any late scares to pick up the first win of their Group F campaign. — 2011
20. •
    To behave in a manner that results in a foul.
21. •
    To point out the behaviour, habits, or actions of (a person) in a critical manner; used with on.

    • She's always picking me up on my grammar.
22. •
    To reach and continue along (a road).

    • Walter decided the best route home was to pick up the A5.
23. •
    To take control (physically) of something.

    • Bolton were then just inches from taking the lead, but the dangerous-looking Taylor drilled just wide after picking up a loose ball following Jose Bosingwa's poor attempted clearance. — 2010
24. •
    To mark, to defend against an opposition player by following them closely.

    • And soon after, no-one picked up Shotton who was free to power a 12-yard header over from another Pennant corner, before Pennant sent a free kick straight at Cardiff keeper Tom Heaton. — 2011
25. •
    (US) To promote somebody who was previously passed over.

    • The list is about the same as when each class was commissioned, except for a small percentage who were passed over once or twice and then picked up. — 1938