Phrasal Verb 'Pick'
We have 19 phrasal verb definitions related to 'Pick'.
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Pick apart
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Meaning: Criticise, find fault
Example: The critics PICKED the film APART.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick at
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Meaning: Eat unwillingly
Example: I wasn't very hungry so I just PICKED AT my food.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick at
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Meaning: Criticise
Example: There were a few problems that could be PICKED AT, but it was generally good.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick off
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Meaning: Target individuals to change a group
Example: There were many rebels against the policy, but the government PICKED OFF the leaders.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick on
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Meaning: Bother, annoy, criticize or make fun of someone
Example: My friends always PICK ON me because I don't sing well.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick out
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Meaning: Choose
Example: She PICKED OUT the ones she wanted to take and left the rest.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick out
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Meaning: Identify from a picture
Example: The victim couldn't PICK OUT her attacker from the photos the police showed her.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick through
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Meaning: Search something that is disordered for something
Example: The police have been PICKING THROUGH the wreckage for clues.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick up
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Meaning: Improve
Example: Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
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Pick up
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Meaning: Learn quickly
Example: She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick up
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Meaning: Collect
Example: While you're in town, can you PICK UP my trousers from the Dry Cleaner?
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Contributed By: BobK
- Separable [optional]
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Pick up
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Meaning: Receive (a broadcast)
Example: When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel 5.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Separable [optional]
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Pick up
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Meaning: Collect (a person). This differs from the 'collect a thing' meaning - as that means 'collect and bring back' whereas this means either (i) 'collect and drop off on your way' or (ii) 'collect and bring to the same destination'.
Example: i) Can you PICK me UP and take me to The George when you go to the party? ii) Can you PICK UP some friends of mine on your way to the party? They're going too.
Notes:
- Separable [optional]
- International English
- Contributed By: BobK
- Separable [optional]
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Pick up after
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Meaning: Tidy a mess someone else has made
Example: I always have to PICK UP AFTER him because he leaves things all over the office.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick up on
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Meaning: Correct someone when they say something wrong
Example: My teacher PICKS UP ON any mistake I make and corrects me.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick up on
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Meaning: Notice something that most people don't
Example: He's very quick to PICK UP ON new trends.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick up on
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Meaning: React to something
Example: The government has PICKED UP ON the reports in the media.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick up on
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Meaning: Comment on something said earlier in a conversation
Example: I'd like to PICK UP ON the point that Jill made.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
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Pick yourself up
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Meaning: Recover from a fall or problem
Example: It took him a long time to PICK HIMSELF UP after his wife left him.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
