pick up on

pick up on
phrasal
1.
b. : to become aware of : notice
2. : to adopt as one's own

* * *

pick up on [phrasal verb]
1 pick up on (something)
1 a : to notice or become aware of (something)

He didn't pick up on the hint.

I seemed to be the only one who picked up on the mistake.

The reader soon picks up on the fact that the story's main character is crazy.

She was nervous, but no one picked up on it.

1 b : to take (something, such as an idea) from another person or group and use it or continue to develop it yourself

The media has recently begun to pick up on this issue.

The fashion world picked up on this trend after she wore that dress to the award show.

The other students quickly picked up on [=adopted] the expression.

1 c : to continue talking about (a statement, subject, etc.)

I'd like to pick up on your last comment.

She began the class by picking up on a point she made earlier.

2 pick up (someone) on (something) or pick (someone) up on (something) Brit : to question (someone) about (something said or done)

I'd like to pick up the last speaker on one of the points she made.

When he said that whales were fish, I felt I had to pick him up on it. [=to challenge him on it]

• • •
Main Entry:pick

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pick — steht für: Pick (Werkzeug), ein beim Lockpicking verwendetes Werkzeug Pick (Betriebssystem), ein Betriebssystem Pick (Wurstfabrik), gegründet 1869 von Márk Pick Pick (Logistik), eine logistische Tätigkeit bzw. Zähleinheit Pick Motor Company,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pick-up — [ pikɶp ] n. m. inv. • 1928; mot angl. (1867), de to pick up « ramasser, recueillir » ♦ Anglic. 1 ♦ Techn. Dispositif servant à recueillir et transformer en courant variable des vibrations sonores enregistrées sur disques. ⇒ lecteur. Cour. Bras,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • pick — Ⅰ. pick [1] ► VERB 1) (often pick up) take hold of and move. 2) remove (a flower or fruit) from where it is growing. 3) choose from a number of alternatives. 4) remove unwanted matter from (one s nose or teeth) with a finger or a pointed… …   English terms dictionary

  • Pick — (p[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Picked} (p[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Picking}.] [OE. picken, pikken, to prick, peck; akin to Icel. pikka, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke, D. pikken, G. picken, F. piquer, W. pigo. Cf. {Peck}, v., {Pike}, {Pitch} to throw.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pick — pick1 [pik] vt. [ME pykken, var. of picchen, to PITCH2] Weaving to throw (a shuttle) n. 1. one passage or throw of the shuttle of a loom 2. one of the weft threads, or filling yarns pick2 [pik] n. [ …   English World dictionary

  • pick — [pɪk] verb pick up phrasal verb 1. [intransitive] if business or trade picks up, it improves 2. [transitive] pick something → up informal to buy something, especially for a low price: • Homes here can be picked up for as little as £30,000 …   Financial and business terms

  • pick up — {v.} 1. To take up; lift. * /During the morning Mrs. Carter picked up sticks in the yard./ 2. {informal} To pay for someone else. * /After lunch, in the restaurant, Uncle Bob picked up the check./ 3. To take on or away; receive; get. * /At the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • pick up — {v.} 1. To take up; lift. * /During the morning Mrs. Carter picked up sticks in the yard./ 2. {informal} To pay for someone else. * /After lunch, in the restaurant, Uncle Bob picked up the check./ 3. To take on or away; receive; get. * /At the… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Pick — Pick, n. [F. pic a pickax, a pick. See {Pick}, and cf. {Pike}.] 1. A sharp pointed tool for picking; often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock. [1913 Webster] 2. (Mining & Mech.) A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes pointed at… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pick-up — auch: Pick|up 〈[ ʌ̣p] m. 6〉 1. Tonabnehmer 2. 〈Kfz〉 Personenkraftwagen, bei dem sich anstelle der Rücksitze eine offene Ladefläche befindet [<engl. pick up „aufnehmen“] * * * Pick up [pɪk |ap , engl.: pɪkʌp ], der; s, s [engl. pick up, zu: to… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • pick-up — ♦♦♦ pick ups also pickup 1) N COUNT A pick up or a pick up truck is a small truck with low sides that can be easily loaded and unloaded. 2) N SING: usu N in n A pick up in trade or in a country s economy is an improvement in it. ...a pick up in… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”