pick up

transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. a. to take hold of and lift up b. to gather together ; collect <

picked up all the pieces

> c. to clean up ; tidy 2. to take (passengers or freight) into a vehicle 3. a. to acquire casually or by chance <

picked up a valuable antique at an auction

> b. to acquire by study or experience ; learn <

picking up a great deal of knowledge in the process — Robert Schleicher

> c. to obtain especially by payment ; buy <

picked up some groceries

> d. to acquire (a player) especially from another team through a trade or by financial recompense e. to accept for the purpose of paying <

offered to pick up the tab

> f. to come down with ; catch <

picked up a cold

> g. gain, earn <

picked up a few yards on the last play

> <

picked up her first victory

> 4. a. to enter informally into conversation or companionship with (a previously unknown person) <

had a brief affair with a girl he picked up in a bar

> b. to take into custody <

the police picked up the fugitive

> 5. a. to catch sight of ; perceive <

picked up the harbor lights

> b. to come to and follow <

picked up the outlaw's trail

> c. to bring within range of sight or hearing <

pick up distant radio signals

> d. understand, catch <

didn't pick up the hint

> 6. a. revive b. increase 7. to resume after a break ; continue <

pick up the discussion tomorrow

> 8. to assume responsibility for guarding (an opponent) in an athletic contest intransitive verb 1. to recover or increase speed, vigor, or activity ; improve <

after the strike, business picked up

> <

the wind began to pick up

> 2. to put things in order <

was always picking up after her

> 3. to pack up one's belongings <

couldn't just pick up and leave

>