Phrasal Verb 'Pick'

We have 19 phrasal verb definitions related to 'Pick'.

Pick apart

Meaning: Criticise, find fault

Example: The critics PICKED the film APART.

Notes:

• Separable [optional]
• International English

Pick at

Meaning: Eat unwillingly

Example: I wasn't very hungry so I just PICKED AT my food.

Notes:

• Inseparable
• International English

Pick at

Meaning: Criticise

Example: There were a few problems that could be PICKED AT, but it was generally good.

Notes:

• Inseparable
• International English

Pick off

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

Pick on

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

Pick out

Meaning: Choose

Example: She PICKED OUT the ones she wanted to take and left the rest.

Notes:

• Separable [optional]
• International English

Pick out

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

Pick through

Meaning: Search something that is disordered for something

Example: The police have been PICKING THROUGH the wreckage for clues.

Notes:

• Inseparable
• International English

Pick up

Meaning: Improve

Example: Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.

Notes:

• Intransitive
• International English

Pick up

Meaning: Learn quickly

Example: She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.

Notes:

• Separable [optional]
• International English

Pick up

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

Pick up

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

Pick up

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

Pick up after

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

Pick up on

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

Pick up on

Meaning: Notice something that most people don't

Example: He's very quick to PICK UP ON new trends.

Notes:

• Inseparable
• International English

Pick up on

Meaning: React to something

Example: The government has PICKED UP ON the reports in the media.

Notes:

• Inseparable
• International English

Pick up on

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

Pick yourself up

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