pick1 verbpick2 noun
pickpick1 /pɪk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb [transitive] 
WORD ORIGINpick1
Origin:
1200-1300 Partly from unrecorded Old English pician; partly from Old French piquer ‘to prick’VERB TABLE
pick
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | pick |
| he, she, it | picks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | picked |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have picked |
| he, she, it | has picked | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had picked |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will pick |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have picked |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am picking |
| he, she, it | is picking | |
| you, we, they | are picking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was picking |
| you, we, they | were picking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been picking |
| he, she, it | has been picking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been picking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be picking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been picking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Pick a number from one to five.
- Do you think he might pick another woman for the Supreme Court?
- I'll pick a few flowers to take to mum's.
- In the end, Katie picked the blue dress.
- Joe picked Steve and Terry to be on his team.
- Laura's out in the garden picking tomatoes.
- Let me pick the movie tonight - I don't want to see another comedy.
- Migrant workers come to the orchard each autumn to pick apples.
- The class was divided into four teams, and each group was asked to pick a leader.
- After two or three days I started picking up.
- By Oscar night, Taylor had recovered sufficiently to pick up hers for Butterfield 8.
- It has already made behind-the-scenes preparations to share the job of picking up the pieces.
- Maybe he used a towel to pick up the iron teakettle.
- Republicans seized control of both houses of Congress, picking up a whopping 117 House seats along the way.
- Vietcong couriers slipped into Saigon to pick up his reports, which he wrote in invisible ink made from starch.
THESAURUS
to decide which one of several things you want: · I chose a black dress.· Which dessert should I choose?
to choose something, especially without thinking carefully. Pick is more informal than choose: · Pick any number from one to ten.
formal to choose something, especially after thinking carefully: · The committee will meet to select a new chairman.· All our instructors are carefully selected.
to choose one thing instead of another: · Many car buyers opt for used vehicles.· I think I’ll go for the chocolate cake.
to choose something from many possible things, especially when the decision has been difficult or taken a long time: · Thomas had decided on a career as a writer.
to choose one person or thing from a group because they are better, worse, more important etc than the others: · Why should he be singled out for special treatment?· One student was singled out for special attention.
especially spoken to choose anything you want, especially when there are many different things available: · You can take your pick from Bodrum’s many bars and restaurants.
Longman Language Activatorto answer the telephone/the door to pick up the telephone and speak when it rings, or go to the door and open it when someone knocks: · I knocked on the door for a long time, but no one answered.answer the telephone/a call/the door: · A strange man answered the door.· She still isn't answering my calls.
to answer the telephone, or go to the door when someone knocks: get the phone/door: · I'll get the phone. I think it's for me.· Can someone get the door - I'm in the shower!get it spoken (=answer the phone/door): · The phone's ringing. Do you want me to get it?
to speak to someone on the telephone because the person that they want to speak to is not available: · I was out that day, and my mother took the call.· Do you want to take the call in your office?take a call for: · Someone wants to speak to Professor Welch, but I can't find him. Would you take the call for him please.
spoken to answer a phone and talk to the person who is calling: · Come on Bob, pick up! I know you're there.pick up the phone: · Just pick up the phone and tell her to stop calling you here.pick it/the phone up: · After the phone had rung twice, Joyce picked it up and said hello.
to deliberately start an argument · I didn't want to start an argument, so I kept quiet.
also pick a quarrel British to deliberately start an argument with someone by saying something that you know will make them angry: · Just ignore him, he's always picking fights.pick a fight with: · Burton was at the bar, trying to pick a quarrel with a stranger.
to deliberately do or say something to make other people argue because you want to cause problems for them: · Just as we were beginning to get on with each other again, Jackie came and stirred things up.· Ignore him -- he's just trying to stir things up because he's jealous.
especially spoken to argue about something because you think it is important, even though other people may think you are being unreasonable: · I don't want to make an issue out of it, but that's the second time you've been late this week.· Although she was annoyed that Ian had given her secret away, she decided not to make an issue of it.
to ask someone a lot of questions to ask someone a lot of questions, in order to get information or find out what they think: · We all wondered where Sylvia got the money, but no one dared question her.question somebody about something: · Liz was very well informed and questioned me about the political situation in Africa.question somebody closely (=carefully, asking a lot of difficult questions): · The interviewer questioned Miss Jarvis closely about her computer experience.
to ask someone a lot of questions very quickly in order to confuse them or make them admit to something: · The lawyer fired questions at me so quickly I didn't have time to think.· The teacher kept shooting questions at the frightened girls until they confessed everything.
also give somebody a grilling British to ask someone a lot of difficult questions in order to make them explain their actions, plans, or opinions: · I stood in the hall and listened as the interviewers grilled the next candidate.· Hilda's teacher gave her a real grilling about why she'd missed so many classes.grill somebody about/on something: · Maxine started grilling me on why I'd been spending so much time alone.
informal to ask someone a lot of difficult questions in order to make them explain their actions, plans, or opinions: · I was just out with friends - you don't have to give me the third degree.· Whenever one of my boyfriends came to the house, Dad would give them the third degree.
to ask someone a lot of questions about a particular subject or event in order to get as much information as possible: pump somebody for information/details: · Viktor sat with Vassily and me and pumped me for information about hockey teams.· He wants to pump Jody for the details of some job her company is advertising.
to ask someone a lot of questions, especially because you want to find out what they have been doing, and often in a way that annoys them: · When Stan eventually came home from the party, his wife quizzed him for hours.quiz somebody about/on something: · My parents never stop quizzing me about where I go at night.· Reporters quizzed the President on tax policy and Central America.
to ask someone for information about something because you think they know more about it than you: · You know all about tax law - can I pick your brains for a minute?· The workshop is designed so that new managers can pick the brains of managers with more experience.
to buy something to pay money for something so that you can own it: · I bought a new dress today at Macy's.· John makes his living buying and selling used cars.· The painting was bought by a museum in New York.buy somebody something: · Keith was going to buy me a ring, but now he says he wants to buy me a watch instead.buy something for somebody: · If you don't have enough money for the pen, I'll buy it for you.buy something from somebody: · I wouldn't buy anything from him - I don't trust him.buy something for $10/£200 etc: · The ranch, which was originally bought for $20,000, is now valued at over $2 million.
especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: · Let me get the drinks. It's my turn to pay.· Did you remember to get the bread?get somebody something: · Guess what he got her for her birthday - an iron!get something for somebody: · I'm going to get one of those video games for Hillary.get something for £20/$50 etc: · What do you think of this leather jacket? I got it for $40 on sale.
formal to buy something - used in business and legal contracts: · Foreign investors are not permitted to purchase land.· If this product does not give complete satisfaction, please return it to the manufacturer stating when and where it was purchased.
to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap or you want it very much, and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: snap up something: · Readers have snapped up nearly 200,000 copies of the book.· The best bargains tend to be snapped up immediately.snap something up: · If you see one for under $100, snap it up!
to buy something that you have found by chance, especially something that is unusually cheap: pick up something: · He's hoping to pick up a few bargains at the sales.· It's just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.pick something up: · That picture? Oh, I picked it up last week at a little shop downtown.
British splurge (on something) American to buy something you want such as an expensive meal, dress etc, which you would not usually buy because it is too expensive: · We splashed out on a bottle of champagne to celebrate her promotion.· Let's splurge and have the steak.
formal to become the owner of something such as land, a company, or a valuable object: · In 1998 the business was acquired by a Dutch company.· The statue was acquired at great expense by the City Corporation.· Robinson spent $20 million to acquire the symphony hall.
to choose someone for a job or team to decide who is the best person for a job, team, prize etc: · Companies are now using computers to help them choose new workers.choose somebody as something: · The board has unanimously chosen Cole as Gray's temporary replacement.choose somebody to do something: · Eventually, Jane was chosen to deliver the message.
formal to choose someone for a particular job, team, place at school etc, after considering a lot of different people who might be suitable: · The college selects only twelve students a year from the thousands who apply.select somebody for something: · We selected four applicants for interview.select somebody to do something: · Ernst had been selected to play in the game against Belgium.
to officially choose someone to do an important job: · The company has appointed a new sales director.appoint somebody to something: · Simpson has been appointed to the Memphis Branch board for a three-year term.appoint somebody as something: · They have appointed Jane Staller as their new East Coast manager.appoint somebody to do something: · A committee was appointed to consider changes to the Prison Service.
to choose someone for a sports team or an important job: · The class was divided into four teams, and each group was asked to pick a leader.pick somebody to do something: · Joe picked Steve and Terry to be on his team.pick somebody for something: · Do you think he might pick another woman for the Supreme Court?
to publicly say who has been chosen for an important job in an organization: · The editor of "The Times" has resigned amid a political storm. His successor has not yet been named.name somebody to something: · McCarthy was recently named to the Small Business Committee.name somebody as something: · The magazine has named Bonnie Fuller as deputy editor.name somebody something: · We are naming Dr Bob McClure head of the IRC in China.
if someone, especially a group of people, nominates someone, they officially choose that person to be considered for a particular job: nominate somebody to something: · Mills is expected to be formally nominated to the board next month.nominate somebody to do something: · Lee was the first Chinese American nominated to head the Civil Rights Division.nominate somebody as something: · They nominated her as the British spokesperson at the International Arms Conference.
British /be on the short list if you are shortlisted or on the short list for a job or a position, you are one of a small group of people who have been chosen from other people who want the job, and from that small group one person will be chosen: · Three applicants have been shortlisted and will be invited for interview next week.be shortlisted for: · He's been on the President's short list for the job twice.
American to officially choose someone for an important job: tap somebody for something: · Reinhardt was tapped for the federal bench in 1980 by former President Carter.
to decide which one you want to decide which one of several things or possibilities you want: · I can't decide what I want. You choose.· Will you help me choose a present for Warren?choose to do something: · Why do so few women choose to become engineers?choose whether/which/when etc: · It took her three hours to choose which dress to wear.choose between (=choose one of two things): · We have to choose between doing geography or studying another language.choose from (=choose from among several things): · Import restrictions will reduce the number of cars buyers have to choose from.
informal to choose something, especially without thinking very carefully about it: · Pick a number from one to five.· Let me pick the movie tonight - I don't want to see another comedy.
formal to choose something by carefully thinking about which is the best or most suitable: · It's very important that parents select the right school for a child with learning difficulties.· Our wines have been carefully selected from vineyards throughout Europe.select something from something: · The team's name was selected from more than 1,700 suggestions.
spoken informal to choose something because you think it is the most attractive, interesting, or enjoyable: · I don't usually go for horror movies.· Whenever we eat out, she always goes for the most expensive thing on the menu.
to make a decision, especially a difficult decision, about which thing to choose: · I felt I was being forced to make a choice between my family and my job.· It had been difficult to leave her unhappy marriage, but she had made her choice.make the right/wrong choice: · Sean's decided to study law - I hope he's made the right choice.
if someone can take their pick , they can choose exactly the thing that they want without anything limiting their choice: · She showed me the box of kittens and told me I could take my pick.· With so many houses for sale, buyers with cash can take their pick.take your pick of: · The program's top graduate took her pick of five job offers.
to choose one person or thing from among a lot of similar things to choose someone or something from among a group of similar people or things, especially in order to praise them or criticize them: single out somebody/something: · Could you single out one factor that is more important than the others?single somebody/something out: · His teacher was always singling him out, calling on him when his hand wasn't even raised.single somebody/something out for something: · Captain Withers was singled out for special mention and was awarded the Military Cross.
to consider a group of similar people or things and to choose the one that you like most: pick out somebody/something: · He looked through the tourist guide and picked out a few exhibitions to see while he was in town.pick somebody/something out: · The editor looked through the file, picking the best models out for the fashion shoot.
to continue doing something after stopping if you continue doing something, or it continues, it starts again after stopping: · After a while the rain stopped, allowing the game to continue.· He has decided to go back to Cambridge to continue his medical studies.· The tour continued after a rest day in Bordeaux.continue doing something: · Have a rest before you continue driving.· He's not sure whether he'll be able to continue skiing competitively after the operation.
to start again , continuing the same thing that you were doing before you stopped, or continuing to happen in the same way as before: · He stopped exercising after the injury, but recently he's started again.start something again: · I've had a good vacation and I'm not exactly looking forward to starting work again.start doing something again: · After a two-week rest I was ready to start running again.· Billy was afraid to say anything in case she started crying again.start to do something again: · Marian stared through the window. It was starting to snow again.
also carry on British to continue doing something after stopping for a short time: · Occasionally he would stop writing, read through what he had written, and then go on.· It's one o'clock now. Shall we carry on after lunch?go on/carry on doing something: · After a short break for coffee, they went on working until 3 o'clock.· She decided to carry on working after having the baby.go on with: · Let's stop now. We'll go on with this tomorrow.· As soon as Mr Saunders gets back, we'll carry on with the meeting.
to start doing a particular job again after a period when you were doing something else. Return to is more formal than go back to: · Melanie made herself a cup of tea and then went back to her reading.· Some mothers return to full-time work only a few weeks after their baby is born.go back to/return to doing something: · If he can't get work as an actor, he can always go back to being an electrician.
formal if you resume something or it resumes , it continues after a pause or interruption: · Collins was so seriously injured that he was unable to resume his career.· The jurors are anxious to resume their normal lives again.resume doing something: · He said no more, and resumed reading his newspaper.
to start doing something such as a sport or activity again after a long period of time when you were not doing it: take something up again: · I stopped playing the guitar when I was fifteen, but now I'd like to take it up again.take up something again: · Now that I don't have to work in the evenings, I'd like to take up sketching again.
to start something again at exactly the same point where you stopped: · After a long absence I went back to college, hoping to pick up where I'd left off.· The team has picked up where they left off last spring.· Negotiators will meet again after the holidays and take up where they left off.
if someone reopens a formal discussion, trial etc, or it reopens , it starts again after stopping, especially because new information has been found: · The two sides are prepared to reopen peace talks.· The action is likely to reopen debates about affirmative action.· Police have decided to reopen the investigation in the light of important new evidence.
to start to do something again - use this especially about activities done by governments and military organizations: · The rebels waited until nightfall to renew their attack on the city.· Iceland has no immediate plans to renew commercial whaling.
to criticize someone or something unfairly to criticize things that are wrong with someone or something, especially small and unimportant things: · No-one enjoys working for a boss who always finds fault with their work.find fault with somebody for something: · The report found fault with the police department for its handling of the case.
especially British, informal to criticize small details in someone's ideas or plans - use this about someone who seems to be deliberately looking for problems and mistakes: · As soon as she stopped talking, Janet's colleagues began to pick holes in the idea.
to criticize someone, their work, or their performance in an unfair and annoying way: · It's hard to knock Gordon because he always works so hard.· Critics knocked his latest film for its portrayal of women.don't knock it!: · Hey, don't knock it! It's the only suit I've got!
to make someone feel unimportant or stupid especially by criticizing them in public: put down somebody: · Television programs always seem to put down people from the South.put somebody down: · She enjoys putting me down in front of other people.
British informal to criticize someone, especially in a nasty and unfair way: slag off somebody: · She spent the whole evening slagging off her ex-boyfriend.slag somebody off: · When the team isn't winning everyone starts slagging them off.
informal to make nasty remarks about someone when that person is not there: · People in our office are always bitching about each other.
informal to keep criticizing someone by making remarks about their behaviour or habits, especially in an unkind or annoying way: · I try not to take it personally -- he gets at everyone on the team.get at about: · My mother keeps getting at me about the state of my room.
informal the annoying habit of criticizing someone about unimportant details, especially in someone's work: · I've had enough of your constant nit-picking. Why can't you say something encouraging?
to treat a person or animal in a cruel way · My father drank too much and was often very cruel to my mother.· It is unspeakably cruel to the prisoners to house them in such conditions.
to deliberately treat a person or animal in a cruel way, especially when you are responsible for looking after them: · It looks as though this dog has been mistreated by its owner.· Neighbours were sure that the young couple had been ill-treating their children.
to be cruel to someone who is weaker, younger, or has less authority than you: · A group of girls would bully the younger kids, and force them to give them money.· The court heard that the head of department would routinely bully and humiliate workers.
to treat someone in your family or someone you are responsible for in a cruel way, especially violently or sexually: · My father abused us for years.· Erica runs a hostel for women who have been abused by their husbands.sexually abuse (=force someone to take part in sexual activities): · Erik testified he was sexually abused by his father since the age of 6.
to be cruel to a person or group of people over a period of time, because of their race or their religious or political beliefs: · Countries all over Europe have persecuted gypsies for centuries.· Human rights advocates say racial minorities continue to be persecuted.
informal to treat someone as if they were completely worthless and not care about their feelings: · She treats him like dirt but he still loves her.· I wanted us to be friends again, but I wasn't prepared to be treated like dirt to achieve it.
informal to choose someone from a group to treat cruelly and unfairly especially by repeatedly criticizing them: · Bullies usually pick on younger children.· Why don't you pick on someone your own size?· Older members of staff often pick on an apprentice and make his life a misery.
also victimise British if a person or group is victimized , they are treated unfairly, for example because of their beliefs, their race, or because they are weak: · He wasn't happy at the school and said he was victimized because of his colour.· The company says she was not dismissed because of her political activities but she claims she was victimized.
to eat small amounts of food to eat something by biting very small pieces: · The horse lowered his head and began to nibble the grass.nibble on/at: · We stood around drinking wine and nibbling on little snacks.
to eat only a small part of a meal, especially because you feel ill or unhappy: · I sat picking at my dinner, wishing I were somewhere else.
to eat almost none of your dinner, meal etc: · Are you feeling okay? You've hardly touched your dinner.· We were so full by the time dessert came that we hardly touched it.
to move or work faster · Could you go a little faster? We don't want to miss our plane.move/work etc faster · You'll have to work a lot faster than this.faster and faster (=more and more quickly) · I could feel my heart beating faster and faster.
to make something happen more quickly: · Nancy, if you don't speed up we'll be here until midnight.speed something up: · I'll phone the manager and get them to speed things up.speed up something: · The company announced they're speeding up plans to expand the site.
if a vehicle, especially a large vehicle picks up speed or gathers speed , it starts to gradually move faster: · Francis leaned back in his seat as the plane picked up speed.· The truck was already moving, gathering speed with a deep-throated roar.
if a vehicle or driver accelerates , they go faster, especially suddenly: · The Ferrari Mondial can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.· The truck's wheels skidded on the snow as the driver accelerated forward.
written to begin to walk faster - use this especially in stories or descriptions of events: · Suddenly realizing he was late, he quickened his pace towards the hotel.· "I have some questions to ask you, Mr Murray,'' said the reporter, quickening his pace to keep up with me.
if something gains or gathers momentum , it travels faster and faster, especially going down a hill, because it is pushed forward by the force of its own weight: · Gradually the train gathered momentum, and within seconds it was moving at top speed.· The slope was getting steeper and their sledge was gaining momentum all the time.
to start a fight · Don't talk to him -- he's just trying to start a fight.· The fight was started by a group of English football fans.
to deliberately start a fight with someone, especially by arguing with them or saying rude things to them: · Some of the students regularly try to pick fights in the playground.pick a fight with: · I walked into the bar and some drunk tried to pick a fight with me.
to want to get rid of angry or violent feelings by fighting or trying to start a fight: · When he's drunk , he gets violent and starts looking for a fight.· The other driver came at me, obviously spoiling for a fight.· He's not the kind of guy that goes into a bar itching for a fight.
to start to have an illness to start to have an illness: · I feel all hot - I think I'm getting flu.· Smoking increases the risk of getting cancer.get something from/off someone (=get an infectious disease from someone else): · He thinks he got the cold from someone in the office.
to get a disease from someone else: · Luke has measles. I hope I don't catch it.catch something from/off somebody: · I think I must have caught the flu from Sarah.
also go down with something British spoken to start to have an illness, especially one that is not serious: · I'm afraid we can't come this weekend - the baby's gone down with a sore throat.
to get a not very serious illness such as a cold, a stomach problem etc - use this especially to say where you got it: pick up something: · I picked up a stomach bug on holiday in Turkey.pick something up: · Brendan has a cold. He must have picked it up at school.
to gradually become ill with a particular illness, but not by catching it from someone else: · After her family brought her home from hospital, she developed pneumonia.· It is possible to develop diabetes in adulthood.
to get a serious illness - used especially in formal or medical contexts: · Orwell contracted tuberculosis during the war and eventually died from the disease.· Dr Chalmers is trying to find out how many people may have contracted the disease in her area.
to become better especially spoken · I hope the weather gets better soon.get a lot better · The first part of the book is pretty boring, but it gets a lot better as the story goes on.things get better (=a situation gets better) · If things don't get better, we may end up having to sell the house.get better and better (=continue to get better) · I don't mind training hard, because you get better and better all the time.
especially written to get better: · In the weeks that followed, his health continued to improve.· Some wines improve with age.improve dramatically/greatly etc: · Conditions in prisons have improved dramatically in the last 20 years.
to improve so that you reach the same standard as other people in your class, group etc: · If you miss a lot of school, it will be very difficult to catch up.catch up with: · Although she had never studied German before, Jane soon caught up with the others.catch somebody up: · The other players in the team are better than me, but I'm slowly catching them up.
if a business or economic situation picks up , it improves after a period without much business activity: · Financial commentators think we'll see the economy starting to pick up early next year.· Sales were very slow in the first half of the year, but business is beginning to pick up now.
spoken say this when good things have started to happen to you, and your life seems much better than it was: · Things are looking up - I've got a new job and a new boyfriend.
to increase to become larger in number, amount, price, value etc: · Gradually the noise and traffic increased as they approached the city.· Hormone levels increase throughout pregnancy.· The use of mobile phones has increased enormously over the past two years.· Revenue and profits have increased dramatically this year.increase by 10%/$100/2 million etc: · The price of cigarettes has increased by 30% in the last two years.increase to (=to reach a total of $1000 etc): · Wind speeds are expected to increase to 60 mph.· The number of high school students using LSD has increased to its highest level since 1986. increase from £300/1 million etc to £400/1.5 million etc: · Health care costs increased from £1.9 billion in 2000 to £4 billion in 2001. increase in number/value etc: · Major league clubs have increased in number from 26 to 28.
to increase - use this about numbers, prices, or temperatures etc, but also about the level or standard of something: · The price of petrol is going up again, for the third time this year.· The jobless rate hit 9.3% last month, after rising for four months in a row.· With more and more cars on the road, pollution levels are rising steadily.· You'll need about £10, if the rail fare's gone up again, which I expect it has.go up/rise by 10%/$500 etc (=become 10% etc greater): · Personal computer sales rose by 70% in the run-up to Christmas.go up/rise to: · By mid-day, the temperature had already risen to 40 degrees.go up/rise from £300/1 million etc to £400/2 million etc: · The average price of a loaf of bread has gone up from 25p to 60p.
to increase gradually over a period of time - use this about numbers or amounts, or about a total amount of business activity or trade: · China's economic output continues to grow at a remarkable annual rate.· Demand for new cars is growing rapidly.· The number of openly gay rock musicians has grown steadily in recent years, and shows no signs of abating.grow by 10%/5000 etc (=become 10% etc greater): · Profits in the military aircraft business grew by 28% to a record $905 million.grow to: · The personnel team has grown to 6,700 full-time employees from just 900 in 2000.
if the temperature, prices, profits etc climb , they increase until they reach a very high level: · Demand for goods grew and imports climbed steadily.climb to: · The original estimate of $500 million has now climbed to a staggering $1300 million.· Temperatures are expected to climb to record levels this weekend.
if something or someone gains speed, weight, or height, their speed, weight, or height increases: · The train rolled forward, gaining speed rapidly.· A new-born baby will gain weight at around one ounce per day.· The four men told the inquiry they did not know why the plane failed to gain height after it took off.
to increase to a high level - use this about things you do not want to increase such as prices, crimes etc: · Gas prices are expected to continue to escalate in the short term.· Staff saw costs escalating and sales slumping as the effect of the recession hit the company.escalate to: · The cost of the new building has escalated to a worrying level.escalate sharply/dramatically: · The number of attacks on foreign aid workers has escalated dramatically.
if trade, business, or work picks up , the amount of it that is available increases after it has been at a level that is too low: · Their shop was losing money, but they carried on in the hope that business would pick up soon.· At present the hotel is almost empty, but I'm sure things will start to pick up in the spring.
if a difference between two amounts widens , or the range of things available widens , it increases: · The range of university courses available has widened tremendously in recent years.· The gap between the incomes of two-carer families and lone mothers with children has widened.
if something bad such as a problem or illness is on the increase , it is happening more and more frequently: · Juvenile crime is on the increase in most parts of the country.· Homelessness has been on the increase for a long time.be on the increase among: · What is particularly alarming is that bullying is on the increase among even very young primary children.
if an effort or an activity such as fighting intensifies , it increases so that more people do it or the people already doing it use more effort: · The fighting intensified and spread through the city.· As the season intensifies, quarterback Young will need to work on his fitness.· The controversy is only expected to intensify.
if trade or a business activity expands , it increases: · Trade between developing countries and industrialized countries is beginning to expand.· The business was growing rapidly and beginning to expand abroad.
if the number or amount of something builds up , it increases gradually so that there is much more than there was before: · Traffic is building up on the southern exit of the motorway.· A huge backlog of work had built up during my absence.
to learn how to do something, or learn about something to learn how to do something, or to learn about a subject, especially by being taught or trained: · How long have you been learning German?· The CD is specially designed to let children learn at their own pace.learn to do something: · His daughter's learning to drive.· William learned to read when he was four.learn how to do something (=learn a method or skill): · On this course, you will learn how to deal with communication problems.· How long did it take you to learn how to do this?learn about: · Before you sail, you need to learn about basic boat controls.· Our children attend the group twice a week to learn about Sikhism.
to learn about a subject by reading books and going to classes at a school or university: study English/Biology/Music etc: · Less than 10% of girls choose to study Science at school.· She's studying Music at Berkeley College in Boston.· My parents first met when dad was studying in England.study to be a doctor/lawyer/accountant etc: · He's studying to be a lawyer.· Dad thinks I should study to be a doctor, but I'm not interested in medicine.study for a test/diploma/an examination: · "Is Ian coming with us?" "He can't - he's studying for his exams."· Alan hardly studied for the test, but he still passed.
to learn the skills and get the experience that you need in order to do a job: · Chris trained at an airbase in Honduras. train to be a hairdresser/teacher/pilot/nurse etc: · Julie is training to be a nurse.· Her husband trained to be an auto mechanic, but he can't find a job.train for a job/career/occupation: · Melanie trained for a career in music, but switched to photography in her early thirties.· We want to encourage people who left school early to train for better jobs.
informal to learn something easily, without making much effort or having lessons: pick up something: · I picked up a few words of Turkish when I was in Istanbul.pick something up: · The rules are really easy - you'll pick them up.· Roy's a bright little boy, and he picks things up really quickly.
spoken to learn how to do something that is fairly complicated: · Using the software isn't difficult once you get the hang of it.· It took me ages to get the hang of using chopsticks.· That's it. You're getting the hang of it now.
to learn a skill or a language completely so that you have no difficulty with it: · It takes years to master the art of weaving.· She soon got to know the local customs and eventually mastered the language.· Children have usually mastered the concepts of weight and length by the age of 8.
also familiarise British to learn about a subject, or how to do something, especially by reading books, notices, instructions etc, because you know you are going to need this knowledge in the future: · She prepared for the interview by familiarizing herself with all aspects of the company's work.· You must familiarize yourself with the evacuation procedure in case of a fire.
to lift a person or thing to move something upwards to a higher position, especially something heavy, either by using your hands or a machine: · His doctor has told him that he must not lift anything heavy.· She lifted the lid from a huge pot and took a sniff.lift onto/out of/over etc: · They lifted me onto a stretcher and took me to the ambulance.· Firemen had to use a mobile crane to lift the carriages back onto the rails.lift somebody bodily (=lift someone's whole body up, using a lot of strength): · The massive bull lifted him bodily into the air and shook him repeatedly.
to move something upwards to a higher position and hold it there - use this especially about something fairly heavy that you use your hands to move: lift somebody/something up: · He lifted her up in his arms.lift up somebody/something: · Can you help me lift up this table so we can get the carpet under it?· Six men lifted up the coffin and carried it out of the church.lift something up onto/out of/over etc: · I couldn't see the game so I asked my dad to lift me up onto his shoulders.
to lift something up from the ground, from a table etc, especially something small or light: pick up somebody/something: · She picked up her bag and left the room.· Maurin picked up the gun and put it in his pocket.· The lioness picked her cub up by its neck.pick somebody/something up: · There are papers all over the floor - could you pick them up and put them away?· The little girl's mother laughed and bent down to pick her up.· The vacuum cleaner won't pick this stuff up.pick up the phone (=pick up the part of the telephone that you speak into, so that you can use it): · The phone rang and Hutton picked it up, frowning.
to move something to a higher position for a short time before lowering it again: · The bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass under it.· "Cheers, everyone!" said Larry, raising his glass.
to dig or pick something up with a scoop (=a round deep spoon), a spoon, or with your curved hand: scoop something up/out/off etc: · He scooped up a handful of sand and dropped it in the bucket.· Slice the eggs in half, then scoop out the yolks into a bowl.
to lift up something which is heavy and difficult to carry: hoist something on/onto/over: · Joe picked up the sack and hoisted it onto the truck.· The crowd hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him triumphantly down the main street.
to lift up the corner of a car using a special tool, in order to change the wheel or look under the car: jack up something: · Fred jacked up the car and started to unscrew the wheel nuts.jack something up: · Why don't you jack it up and we'll have a look at the suspension?
to meet someone in order to take them somewhere · We'll meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.· The company is sending a car to meet Mr Hill at the station.· Our guide met us in the hotel lobby and spent the entire day with us.
to meet someone at a particular place in order to take them somewhere in a car, bus etc: pick somebody up: · She picks her daughter up from school every day at four.· I told Virginia I'd pick her up about 8:00.pick up somebody: · I arranged to pick up Mr Clarke and take him to his accommodation.
British to meet someone at a particular place in order to take them somewhere: · Her father sent a taxi to collect her from the hotel.· If the last bus has left, I'll collect you.
to pay for someone else's food, drink, ticket etc to pay for someone else, for example for their meal, drink, or ticket: · If I go out for a meal with my parents, they always pay.pay for: · When we got to the ferry, Eddie took out a five-dollar bill and paid for Terry and me.· Who paid for your driving lessons?pay for somebody to do something: · My company paid for me to go to evening classes.
to buy something such as a meal or theatre ticket for someone, because you like them or want to celebrate something: · As it's your birthday, I thought I'd treat you.treat somebody to something: · We treated Sally to lunch at the Savoy.
to pay for something, especially when it is not necessarily your responsibility or duty to do this: · We all went out to dinner, and Adam picked up the tab.pick up the tab for: · Usually the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab for a publicity tour.
spoken say the drinks are on me , this meal's on me etc when you are telling someone you will pay for their drinks, their meal etc: · Order whatever you like -- this is on me!· Put your money away -- the drinks are on us.
to buy drinks for the people you are with in a bar: · Joe bought a round of drinks for everyone.
British spoken say this when it is your turn to buy the drinks for the people you are with in a bar: · No, it's my shout. What are you drinking?
to recognize someone or something also recognise British to know who someone is or what something is, especially because you have seen them before: · Lisa! I'm sorry -- I didn't recognize you -- you've had your hair cut!· I can't remember how the tune goes but I'll recognize it when I hear it.· That security guy never recognizes me. I always have to show him my ID.· They recognised my Michigan accent right away.recognize somebody from something: · I recognized her from the movies, but she was much taller than I expected.· I recognize you from somewhere -- don't you work at the bank?recognize somebody/something as something: · The waiter recognized one of his customers as someone he went to school with.· She recognised the voice on the phone as Tim's, but he sounded strange.
to recognize someone or something, especially when you have not seen them for some time or when they have changed a lot: · Would you know him if you saw him again?· The town has changed so much you wouldn't know the place.· You'll know him when you see him. He has red curly hair and is very tall and thin.
to recognize and name someone who has done something illegal or someone who has died: · The airline says it will be difficult to identify all the bodies retrieved from the crash.· Police hope that a member of the public will be able to identify a man seen acting suspiciously a few hours before the murder took place. · Dubois was identified by immigration control, and arrested at Kennedy airport.· proposals to identify the fathers of children born to single mothersidentify somebody as something: · Sara identified the man as Kang, a notorious gang leader and drug baron.· The girl, identified as Shelly Barnes, fell from the window when her mother's back was turned.
to recognize someone or something out of a group of things or people: pick out somebody/something: · Both men were picked out from an identity parade by witnesses. · It was hard to pick out faces he knew in the crowd.· Are there any questions that can help pick out a drug addict?pick somebody/something out: · I was listening for Steve's voice, but it wasn't easy to pick it out among all the others.
to be able to recognize someone or something, especially when this is not easy: · "What colour was the car?" "I couldn't tell in the dark."tell (that): · You look different in the photograph, although I can tell it's you.tell who/what etc: · There's someone on the phone for you. I can't tell who it is.· "Can you tell what this is with your eyes shut?" "It tastes of strawberry, but I'm not sure."tell the difference between somebody/something: · I find it really difficult to tell the difference between Frank and his brother.· If we don't use labelling, how can consumers tell the difference between organic and non-organic foods?tell something from something else (=to be able to recognize the difference between them): · It's a very good fake. You couldn't tell it from the real thing.· My kids have plenty of friends, and to be honest I can't tell one from another.tell two things apart (=to be able to recognize that they are different in some way): · Male ducks are easy to tell apart in the breeding season.· At the moment, we can only tell the twins apart by looking at their name tags.
to remove something that is fixed or joined to something else to remove something that is fixed to something else: take something off: · I took the lid off and tasted the soup.take off something: · He took off the old handle and fixed a new one in its place.
to take off something that forms a piece or part of something else or that covers something else. Remove is more formal than take off , and is used especially in writing: · Remove all the fat, then cut the meat into cubes.· Make sure that the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap.remove from: · She was in the hospital, having a lump removed from her breast.
formal to remove a piece or part of something that is designed to be removed: · Please detach the last section of this form, fill it in, and return it to us.· The control unit can be detached from the base.
to remove a part of something by breaking, tearing, cutting etc it: break/tear/cut off something: · A van bumped into us, damaging one of the headlights and breaking off the aerial.· Tear off the coupon and send it to this address.· Winds reached over 100 mph, tearing off roofs and flattening trees.· He used to catch spiders and cut off their legs.break/tear/cut something off: · Gerard broke the handle off accidentally when he was trying to open the door.· I'd like to keep this part -- is it alright if I tear it off?· He cut the top off the coconut.· He cut all his hair off as a protest.
to remove fruit from trees or flowers from the ground: · Migrant workers come to the orchard each autumn to pick apples.· I'll pick a few flowers to take to mum's.
to help someone in danger or a bad situation to stop someone from being killed or badly hurt, or help them out of a bad situation: · Ben would have died in the blaze if a fireman hadn't saved him.· The President had been shot from close range. It was only his bullet-proof vest that saved him.save somebody from something: · Officer McCarthy had saved her from a savage attack in the park.· Environmentalists are campaigning to save the white rhinoceros from extinction.save somebody from doing something: · Michael was saved from choking to death by Susie.save somebody's life: · Wearing a seat belt can help save your life.
to save someone by removing them from a dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant situation, especially when this involves taking serious risks: · Firefighters worked for two hours to rescue people who were trapped in the bus.rescue somebody from something: · We were rescued from the sinking ship by a passing fishing boat.· She was rescued from her underpaid factory job by a movie director searching for new talent.
to save someone from a dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant situation, when they urgently need help: · He attempted to rob another girl, but her friends came to the rescue. come to somebody's rescue: · The baby was destined to spend her life in an orphanage until a nurse came to her rescue.come to the rescue of: · Agassi once again came to the rescue of his country in the quarter final of the Davis Cup.
to save someone from a dangerous place by taking them away in a boat or aircraft: pick up somebody: · They spent the night near the top of the mountain, before being picked up by a helicopter.pick somebody up: · A lifeboat picked them up two miles from the coast.
to shoot someone or something to kill or injure someone by firing bullets from a gun: · I was afraid they were going to shoot us.· Rico had been shot by a member of a rival gang.shoot somebody in the back/chest/leg etc: · He had been shot in the chest but managed to crawl to safety.shoot somebody dead: · A tourist was shot dead by muggers in New Orleans last night.
to shoot an aircraft so that it falls from the sky: shoot something down: · Local militiamen shot down a federal army helicopter as it flew over the capital.shoot down something: · They said the plane had been on a spy mission and they were justified in shooting it down.
to be injured or damaged by bullets: · I didn't realize he'd been hit until he fell to the ground.· One of our planes has been hit.be hit in the chest/face etc: · He was hit in the arm by a sniper's bullet but carried on fighting.
to shoot someone, especially someone who cannot defend themselves, so that they are killed or badly injured: gun down somebody: · The bank robbers gunned down two employees who tried to stop them getting away.gun somebody down: · Two men dragged him out of his home, and gunned him down in the street.
to shoot people or animals one by one from a distance: pick off somebody: · Jesse hid behind a rock and picked off the sheriff's men one by one as they rode past.pick somebody off: · Our rifles were much more powerful and we were able to pick the enemy off before they could even fire at us.
to go to a place and take someone or something from there to go to the place where someone or something is, and bring them back, or tell them to come back: · I'll get my coat and then we can go.· Dinner's ready. Can you get Jo?· I've got to get the kids in a few minutes.get somebody something (=get something for someone): · Could you get me my keys from the kitchen?· I'm going to get myself a beer, does anyone else want one?go (and) get somebody/something: · Go and get your father. He's in the garden.· Forget the cooking, let's go get takeout.
to go to a place where someone or something is waiting for you or ready for you, and take them with you: pick somebody/something up: · Do you want me to come back and pick you guys up?· Nadia will pick you up at the airport.· Can you pick some milk up from the shop on your way home?pick up somebody/something: · "Where's Diana?" "She just left to pick up the kids from school."· I'll pick up the tickets on my way home from work.· Hi, I've come to pick up a suit I left on Tuesday.
British to go to the place where someone or something is waiting for you, and bring them back: · I'm at the station. Can you come and collect me?· We'll have to eat later, I'm collecting Grandma from the hospital this evening.· I've got a parcel to collect from the post office.
British to go to get someone or something that you need and bring them back: · Jim's gone to fetch the police.· Where's your mug? Go and fetch it.· Martha fetched a towel from the bathroom.fetch somebody something: · Could you fetch me a screwdriver?
to make a place tidy to make a room, desk, or drawer tidy: · If you're not going to watch the football, you can tidy your room.· I haven't had time to tidy up yet.· I want this whole place tidied before I get back, ok?tidy up something: · You can start tidying up that mess you've made now.· She hung about after work, tidying up her desk.tidy something up: · Will you help me tidy the kitchen up a bit?tidy something away (=put something in the place where you usually keep it): · Come on, let's have these toys tidied away now.tidy up after somebody (=to have to clean a room and put things away after someone has been in there): · Both my sons think mothers are just here to tidy up after them.
American to make a place tidy and clean, by putting things in the right place or arranging them neatly: · Make the bed and straighten up in there.· Kelly, when you're through with your break, would you straighten the office?straighten something up: · The city's janitors went on strike, leaving thousands of workers to straighten their own offices up and empty their own trash.straighten up something: · After the kids have left for school, I straighten up the house.· You're not leaving till you get your room straightened up.
to make a place tidy and clean, by putting things away and removing dust or dirt: · Do you want me to help clean up?clean something up: · Thanks for cleaning the place up -- I really appreciate it.· It took us two or three days to clean it all up.clean up something: · Every time Jasper cooked for me, he would carefully clean up all the pans and plates he'd used.
British to get rid of all the things that are making a place dirty or untidy: · Who's going to clear up after the party?· John's offered to clear up the churchyard this weekend. clear something up: · It'll take ages to clear this up.· It looked as if Marie had already cleared the place up.clear up something: · Someone's got to clear up this mess!· Wait for me, I just need to clear up my desk.clear up after somebody (=tidy a place after someone else has made it untidy): · I spend my life clearing up after the children.
to put things away neatly in order to make a place tidy: pick up something: · Could you pick up the newspapers and magazines for me?pick something up: · Help me pick these things up. We have company coming.pick up after somebody (=put away things that someone else has used) especially American: · I feel like I spend all my time picking up after the kids.
British informal to tidy a place and put everything where it should be: · I like to get the house straight while the kids are at the youth club.· One of these days I'll get this garage straight.
especially British to organize something that is mixed up or untidy: sort something out: · I'm going to sit down quietly one day and sort my CDs out.sort out something: · I need to sort out the food cupboard, and make a shopping list.· We've got to sort out all our stuff to take home tonight.
to walk slowly and carefully to walk carefully and slowly because the ground is not level or because you have to step over things, lifting your feet higher off the ground than usual: pick your way over/through/across etc: · The boy began to pick his way over the rocks towards the ocean.· I picked my way across the crowded field, towards the main stage.
to walk slowly and carefully, especially sideways, along or through a small space, because you do not have enough room to walk normally: · Mervyn edged sideways through the front door, which seemed to be stuck.edge your way: · Edging my way through the crowd, I eventually managed to get to the bar.
WORD SETSa cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Who’s going to pick the team for the match on Saturday? Russell spoke slowly, picking his words (=choosing what to say) very carefully. a dish of freshly picked peas We picked up their tracks again on the other side of the river. We’ll meet again in the morning and we can pick up where we left off. We’ve been through a bit of a bad patch, but things are picking up again now.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The price includes travel from your local pick-up point in the UK to your hotel in Paris. She picked up the receiver and dialled his number.
Who’s going to pick the team for the match on Saturday? Russell spoke slowly, picking his words (=choosing what to say) very carefully. a dish of freshly picked peas We picked up their tracks again on the other side of the river. We’ll meet again in the morning and we can pick up where we left off. We’ve been through a bit of a bad patch, but things are picking up again now.· During his stay in England, he had picked up an English accent.
(=to get an award – used especially in news reports)· Angelina Jolie scooped up the award for best actress.
(=find one)· You can often pick up a bargain at an auction.
(=pay for something, especially when you do not want to)· Taxpayers will probably have to foot the bill.
(=ask someone for ideas)· I thought I’d pick Greg’s brains about what to take with us.
(=catch one)· He seems to pick up every bug going.
(=deliberately start a fight)· The guy tried to pick a fight with Jack.
· I'll pick some flowers to put on the table.
(=continue something that has stopped for a short time) Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.
Barry took up the story where Justine had left off. (also navigate/negotiate a minefield) (=behave in a careful way to avoid problems in a difficult situation)· The guide helps you pick your way through the minefield of buying a new car.
(=remove substances from inside your nose with your finger)· Stop picking your nose, Freddy.
The price includes travel from your local pick-up point in the UK to your hotel in Paris. (=deliberately start it)· Members of the gang were picking quarrels with strangers.
She picked up the receiver and dialled his number.· The antenna that will pick up the signals is a 12-metre dish.
(=go faster)· The Mercedes was gradually picking up speed.
· As soon as she got home, she picked up the telephone and dialled his number.
· If you listen to the show, you’ll pick up some really useful gardening tips.
(=large vehicles used for particular purposes) His car was taken away on the back of a breakdown truck.
His car was taken away on the back of a breakdown truck. (also the wind gets up British English) (=becomes stronger)· The rain beat down and the wind was picking up.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Red Deer Commission stalkers have been helping estate staff in the Angus glens pick off marauding deer destroying farmlands.· The photographers stormed the railing and took aim like a starved infantry picking off fish from a bridge.· The defeated Arab states, fearful of being picked off one by one, insisted on indirect and collective negotiations.· It was Cooper picking off the ball and feeding Thompson.· Defries was picking off the survivors.· In the first quarter, cornerback Deion Sanders picked off Young and got by most of the 49ers in a 31-yard return.· This means you can shoot your way down a line of troops, picking off each one in turn.· The caterpillars can be picked off, but their coloring makes them difficult to see, especially when they are small.
· You can also pick out small pieces of grass or leaf.· Philadelphia and Baltimore were just cities picked out of a hat.· And the new geography of this steeper decline can be picked out from Table 2.2.· I have picked out the flowers.· There's no point picking out individual climbs - they're all good.· Finally, she picked out the Poulenc Gloria, as she had known she would.· Alice came in store and picked out the color yellow.
· The Everglades kite in Florida picks up snails and carries them off to a feeding perch.· Maybe he used a towel to pick up the iron teakettle.· Miss Braithwaite had picked up the gap in Hereward's curriculum vitae fast enough.· I decided that since Carlo was lost to me, maybe I could pick up some one else at the party.· He picked up a rubber glove whose open end was sucking in brown greasy water.· A couple of inmates were picking up leaves from around the graves, sweeping them into a large black sack.· The first man picked up the end and threaded it through the loop on his leg iron.
NOUN· Everything depended on contributors picking up the bill in ten, twenty or thirty years.· After its shareholder equity turned negative last year, parent Dasa started picking up the bills.· There is a growing, often unstated, anticipation that the private sector will pick up the bill for public services.· But remember - raid your savings now and Santa won't pick up the bill.· If that involves an overnight stay the scheme will pick up the bill for accommodation.· The authorities must ensure that taxpayers and passengers do not pick up the bill for the company's mistakes.· It is the local authorities that must pick up the bill for those problems.· Who is going to pick up the bill for all their tommy rot and skulduggery, Miss Green?
· They have picked up the wrong book and are probably in the wrong bookstore.· He picked up a book on the floor... something highbrow.· He picked up a book on juggling which his daughter had brought home, and 4 months later he's teaching others.· I picked up the book Kip had been reading.· She picked up her book, looked at it sightlessly, and then stuck it over her face.· I picked up a book and threw it across the room.· Martin offered to have that too, but was instructed to pick up her books instead, so be did.· You pick up the book, holding it in your hands, turning it over, feeling its slightness or its heft.
· We adults do the same: we come home from work and start complaining or picking a fight.· Had never picked a fight in his life.· Barton Lynch's manager had once picked a fight with him.· From a lack of communication, parents are more likely to misunderstand, blame, or pick fights with one another.· Anthony Ryan was known in his family as able to pick a fight with his own fingernails.· The first thing Vicious does is start picking fights with these guys who are supposed to protect him.· You pick your side and fight for it.· He loved to pick arguments and fights.
· He picked up the flower and held it to the light, a cluster of faded crimson petals with attenuated stalks.· I have picked out the flowers.· We're hoping, there's just a chance, she left her car to pick wild flowers.· But when she picked the flowers, the brothers turned into ravens and flew away.· She picked a bunch of flowers for Alan once.· The Khmers held hands as they advanced and sometimes picked flowers.· Help to protect them by following these rules: Don't pick or uproot wild flowers.· Red decided to pick some flowers for her grandmother along the way.
· He wouldn't be allowed to fart or pick his nose or put his feet on the table.· Centuries later the light brought two of the shepherds, the tall one picking his nose, and Douthwaite smirking.· Edwina Currie was opening her post, Sir James Spicer was picking his nose.· I just saw a man trying not to pick his nose behind his newspaper!· Please don't pick your nose at the table.· The young Eric was looking away and picking his nose, looking bored.· The toilet stank of urine, and at one point a chef was seen picking his nose while preparing food.· Both pick the nose of rock credibility and flick rolled-up bogies at its established figureheads.
· Very quietly and gently she picked the phone up, and dialled the number of his school.· But when he picks up the phone and dials her number, there is no answer.· On impulse I picked up the phone and rang her, hoping I still had the right number.· She hoped he picked up the phone quickly.· One day, when I least expected it, I picked up the phone and he was on the other end.· Time to pick up the phone, Carl.· They can zero in on this big wall map and pick any phone they want, and record the conversation.
· I picked up the pieces myself.· He came over to me, picked up the piece of paper before me, and sat back down on the bed.· As proved by history, women are the ones who have to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of war.· Upon release, however, he slowly picked up the pieces of his life and rebuilt his career.· In her motherly concerned way, she was cosseting him as he tried to pick up the pieces of his life.· Gardeners regularly stroll the grounds, picking up stray pieces of trash and trimming unruly bushes.· Then the red mists cleared and she sank to her knees, picking up the pieces, moaning softly.· You can also pick out small pieces of grass or leaf.
· Ven was her first thought when she picked up the receiver.· In the hallway my hand trembled as I picked up the receiver.· She picked up the receiver and spoke into it.· I ran out into the hallway, picked up the receiver, and it was Minna.· She picked up the receiver and dialled Tom's number.· She could roll over the bed and pick up the receiver.· Her mind made up, she picked up the receiver and dialled the number of the separate school.· She picked up the receiver, dialled Giles Carnaby's number, and then replaced the receiver before the connection was made.
· Of course, good melody will sound fine at any tempo, so play slowly and gradually pick up speed.· As they picked up speed along the main tarmac road it was already 3 a.m.· The coach picked up speed as it rattled and jolted down to Forty-second Street.· The object thereupon begins to expand, and it will rapidly pick up speed.· He picked up speed fast, and when we got to the clearing again, he banked very hard to the left.· Brian Reade is back tomorrow Over the hill and picking up speed!· A slowing economy lessens the threat that inflation will pick up speed.
· In addition, my company will pick up the tab for all legal and moving expenses.· His response is to pick up their tab.· He wouldn't pick up the tab for anyone else.· Often, the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab.· With Lissa's money I picked up his tabs.· When the check comes, the lobbyists almost always pick up the tab.· Normally, developers paying a barrister to represent them at an inquiry must pick up the tab.· I wonder to myself as I pick up the tab for breakfast.
· He was not attempting to pick the team for tonight's First Division match against Wimbledon.· Within a month, the committee had picked eight teams to tackle the first round of breakthroughs.· So nobody's singled out - I don't pick out one team.· The bus driver was late picking up the team from the hotel.· Once again, Gould's ability to pick his team was to prove invaluable.· So we picked quality for the teams to work on.· But again they picked a team of boys, as they did in the last two World Cups.· When they picked teams for outdoor games she and I were always the last two left standing by the wire-mesh fence.
· When Kee left the room Conway picked up the telephone.· One day during the late winter or early spring of 1920, Margarett picked up the telephone.· The principal of the public high school happened to pick up the telephone himself.· Now, they need only to pick up their telephones to share their views with the world.· Then taking off his tunic and loosening his tie, he picked up the telephone.· He picked up the telephone and asked for his bill to be prepared, and for somebody to carry his luggage.· Laura picked up the bedside telephone and dialled the number.· Such was the case of a man who recently picked up an emergency telephone on the bridge and threatened suicide.
· He picked up the thread and followed it.· She gradually started to pick up the threads of her life.· Enough to do picking up the threads of his own life.· They talked non-stop in an elaborate relay race, one picking up the thread as soon as the other paused for breath.
· Every now and again rescue teams of young people would pick their way downhill with a bandaged pilgrim on a stretcher.· The trails up toward the stone sheds were slippery and I picked my way along slowly.· They picked their way through broken pieces of furniture, their feet crunching across splintered glass and wood.· Delaney unbuckled his webbing and stood up, picking his way forward past the life rafts racked ready for the drop.· Mrs Helgert picks her way carefully out of the rose bed, and I lay the roses in her arms.· We pick our way across the cement floor and into the battered portacabin.· The second was not looking at the Golden Tube material I picked up on the way out until several weeks later.
· The rain beat down and the wind was picking up.· A wind picks up, so we decide to raise the sails.· The wind began to pick up again, moaning round their ears.· Observed by a lone seal we headed west, the wind now beginning to pick up.· The wind picked up that evening and big grey swells came charging in from the south-west.· The wind has picked up a bit, and there is a light snow falling.· They lose their keen sense of smell and direction when the wind picks up like this.
· Experience to date and motivational goal data give us our greatest chance of picking a winner.· A technology Strategy does not mean that a government has to pick winners and losers.· As a result, everyone believes that they have a chance of picking the winner.· You will certainly pick the winner, but at what cost?· Softbank claims that it is better at picking winners and that it is buying into a growth industry.· Technology development strategies are designed to pick technology winners.· Trust you, Dwight, to pick a winner, and pick him before the rest of us have heard of him!· Suddenly, Labour wobbled as it appeared that the Tories might have picked a genuine winner.
VERB· She had tried to pick up Rudolf.· When I tried to pick him up he squirmed wildly, jerked away and threw himself to the ground again.· The waiter who'd tried to pick her up that first morning wasn't on duty.· How Linda fell on to the track and he tried to pick her up just as the train bore down on them.· As she tried to pick her way over frozen puddles, she regretted her decision to wear high heels instead of boots.· No one on the farm spoke Hindi so it seemed more sensible to try to pick up Marwari from the servants.· Perhaps I should try to pick up a little extra at Macready's tables.· Just let your imagination run and try to pick up the underlying message. 2.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► pick a hole in something► pick something clean► pick something to pieces► pick something/somebody ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick somebody ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick somebody ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick somebody up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick something ↔ up► pick somebody ↔ upPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have a bone to pick with somebody► pick up/take up the gauntlet► be drawn/pulled/picked out of the/a hat► take up/pick up the slack
1choose something to choose a person or thing, for example because they are the best or most suitable: - The workshop is designed so that new managers can pick the brains of managers with more experience.
- You know all about tax law - can I pick your brains for a minute?
- Anthony Ryan was known in his family as able to pick a fight with his own fingernails.
- Barton Lynch's manager had once picked a fight with him.
- But it is hard to pick a quarrel with pasta.
- From a lack of communication, parents are more likely to misunderstand, blame, or pick fights with one another.
- Had never picked a fight in his life.
- His favorite thing is to pick fights with me and then leave brown lunch bags on our doorstep.
- The first thing Vicious does is start picking fights with these guys who are supposed to protect him.
- We adults do the same: we come home from work and start complaining or picking a fight.
- You can't just pick and choose which laws you're going to follow.
- And so you can pick and choose and try to get the right mixture or balance.
- At Thrush Green she would be able to pick and choose her employers.
- But if you've got your own boat and you're not allergic to work, you can pick and choose.
- Friendlies are the easiest to start with, as you can pick and choose your opponents.
- He could afford to take it easy and he picked and chose carefully whatever he wanted to do.
- Remember, however, to pick and choose your wheat berries according to type.
- There have been no secret meetings of the Democrat majority to pick and choose personnel.
- Unlike us correspondents, who could pick and choose our risks, they had no choice.
- Attached to the ring was the piece of wire he used to pick locks.
- He had taught them how to pick a lock, steal a car, to shoplift ... The list was endless.
- If I can pick a lock open, I ought to be able to pick it shut.
- I had no trouble picking holes in her theory.
- On our last day in the city, someone picked my pocket.
- A technology Strategy does not mean that a government has to pick winners and losers.
- Experience to date and motivational goal data give us our greatest chance of picking a winner.
- Softbank claims that it is better at picking winners and that it is buying into a growth industry.
- The government hopes to pick a winner in May but the selection could be delayed.
- Trust you, Dwight, to pick a winner, and pick him before the rest of us have heard of him!
- Hardly glancing at Berowne's body Dalgliesh picked his way across the carpet to Harry Mack and squatted beside him.
- I picked my way through the noisy tables and went into the Gents.
- Publishers and booksellers will have to pick their way through a landscape made strange and problematic by change.
- So four of us took our stirrup pumps and torches and picked our way through what was a minefield.
- The Arvins came picking their way through rubble, nervous as rats, poking people aside with the barrels of their M-16s.
- There was just one lock, and I picked my way through it with ease.
- They picked their way through broken pieces of furniture, their feet crunching across splintered glass and wood.
- We pick our way across the cement floor and into the battered portacabin.
- Carol picked herself up and dusted herself off.
- A team in such a position is likely to find it hard to pick itself up.
- Although he picked himself up and walked away, he knew something was wrong.
- He picked himself up and staggered down a corridor.
- However, Grimm was already picking himself up, swearing, dusting himself off, retrieving his cap.
- I crashed to the ground, picked myself up, and began staggering around the car to the other side.
- I fell, picked myself up, lurched forward another yard or two, then fell again.
- Shaken and deafened, I picked myself up.
- Think of the toddler learning to walk and how often he falls down only to pick himself up and try again.
- Davey, don't pick your nose!
- Centuries later the light brought two of the shepherds, the tall one picking his nose, and Douthwaite smirking.
- Edwina Currie was opening her post, Sir James Spicer was picking his nose.
- He wouldn't be allowed to fart or pick his nose or put his feet on the table.
- I just saw a man trying not to pick his nose behind his newspaper!
- Please don't pick your nose at the table.
- The toilet stank of urine, and at one point a chef was seen picking his nose while preparing food.
- The young Eric was looking away and picking his nose, looking bored.
- You have to watch them picking their noses.
- As they picked up speed along the main tarmac road it was already 3 a.m.
- If the economy is picking up steam, the recovery may be nipped in the bud by renewed Fed tightening.
- Indications the economy may be picking up steam hurt bonds by sparking concern inflation may accelerate, eroding bonds' fixed payments.
- Of course, good melody will sound fine at any tempo, so play slowly and gradually pick up speed.
- The black-out protest is expected to pick up steam after the president signs the bill.
- The coach picked up speed as it rattled and jolted down to Forty-second Street.
- The object thereupon begins to expand, and it will rapidly pick up speed.
- The company's picking up the bill for my trip to Hawaii.
- After its shareholder equity turned negative last year, parent Dasa started picking up the bills.
- But remember - raid your savings now and Santa won't pick up the bill.
- Everything depended on contributors picking up the bill in ten, twenty or thirty years.
- I wonder to myself as I pick up the tab for breakfast.
- In addition, my company will pick up the tab for all legal and moving expenses.
- Often, the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab.
- There is a growing, often unstated, anticipation that the private sector will pick up the bill for public services.
- When the check comes, the lobbyists almost always pick up the tab.
- The town is beginning to pick up the pieces after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.
- As proved by history, women are the ones who have to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of war.
- I picked up the pieces myself.
- In her motherly concerned way, she was cosseting him as he tried to pick up the pieces of his life.
- In the more stable area people were returning to pick up the pieces of their lives.
- It has already made behind-the-scenes preparations to share the job of picking up the pieces.
- Then the red mists cleared and she sank to her knees, picking up the pieces, moaning softly.
- This hopefully will cause them a fixture congestion around April/May with us hopefully been able to pick up the pieces.
- Whimper like a whipped puppy, Jay, have a drink and pick up the pieces.
- Hands to muzzle, he delicately picked his teeth.
- He began to pick his teeth with a toothpick.
- He was picking his teeth with a match while some one on the phone talked his ear off.
- The man sawed very quickly with one hand and picked his teeth with the other hand.
- There was a long pause while he picked his teeth and looked down into the seat of his chair.
- They were there at lunchtime and still there in the evening, just reading, picking their teeth, and watching.
- Well, pop a mint, our friends, head for the hills, and pick your teeth with a mesquite twig.
- Woolley picked his teeth with a matchstick.
- The good thing is that he's trying to pick up the threads of his life again.
- Enough to do picking up the threads of his own life.
- She gradually started to pick up the threads of her life.
- Ronnie, stop shuffling and pick your feet up.
- A Sergeant and four Corporals arrived from Orange to pick us up on the following Monday.
- He says they picked it up on the radar and had to take evasive action.
- We used to keep it round Nezzer Eyres's and pick it up on Sundays when we wanted it.
- When they went off the air in the evening, I picked it up on my program.
- But me third was the best of the bunch.
- Either they are one of the best of the bunch at home, or they make their name abroad.
- Even these modest broadcasts show only the best of the bunch.
- He may be the best of the bunch.
- It's also the best of the bunch for multi-processing, he says.
- Nevertheless as an introduction it is the best of the bunch.
- Woolwich is the best of the bunch, trading at a multiple to future earnings of 10.3.
- A garland of freshly picked marigolds hung from the mirror.
- A good addition to dried apricot fool is a spoonful or two of freshly ground almonds.
- Add the mascarpone Reheat, adding the mascarpone and correcting the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with a tablespoon or so of olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Season generously with freshly ground pepper and add salt to taste.
- Squeeze over some lemon juice and add freshly ground pepper.
- Sure enough, inside we found some beautiful zucchini and tomatoes, freshly picked from a nearby garden.
- There were dates and a delicious bowl of freshly made cottage cheese.
- But Dehlavi takes his time getting up steam, leaving a good 20 minutes of surplus slack in these two hours.
- Cons: Just when the bobsled builds up steam, brakes on the track slow it down.
- If the economy is picking up steam, the recovery may be nipped in the bud by renewed Fed tightening.
- Indications the economy may be picking up steam hurt bonds by sparking concern inflation may accelerate, eroding bonds' fixed payments.
- Millionaire publisher Steve Forbes, who is suddenly picking up steam?
- The black-out protest is expected to pick up steam after the president signs the bill.
- Airlines will have to pick up the tab for new safety regulations.
- Usually the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab for a publicity tour.
- We all went out to dinner, and Adam picked up the tab.
- He wouldn't pick up the tab for anyone else.
- I wonder to myself as I pick up the tab for breakfast.
- In addition, my company will pick up the tab for all legal and moving expenses.
- Normally, developers paying a barrister to represent them at an inquiry must pick up the tab.
- Often, the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab.
- Thus, port officials argue, the city should have picked up the tab for fixing the recently revealed environmental problems.
- When the check comes, the lobbyists almost always pick up the tab.
- Enough to do picking up the threads of his own life.
- He picked up the thread and followed it.
- She gradually started to pick up the threads of her life.
- They talked non-stop in an elaborate relay race, one picking up the thread as soon as the other paused for breath.
Students have to pick three courses from a list of 15. I don’t know which colour to pick. Who’s going to pick the team for the match on Saturday?pick somebody/something for something I wasn’t picked for the hockey team.pick somebody/something as something The hotel was picked as the best small hotel in the area.pick somebody to do something He was picked to run in the 100 metres. Russell spoke slowly, picking his words (=choosing what to say) very carefully. → picked► see thesaurus at choose2flowers/fruit etc to remove a flower, fruit, nut etc from a plant or tree:
We picked some blackberries to eat on the way. Amy picked a small bunch of wild flowers. a dish of freshly picked peas3remove something [always + adverb/preposition] to remove something carefully from a place, especially something smallpick something from something Ahmed picked the melon pips from his teeth.pick something off (something) She was nervously picking bits of fluff off her sweater.pick something out of something The goalkeeper spent a lot of his time picking the ball out of the back of the net.4pick your way through/across/among etc something to walk in a slow careful way, choosing exactly where to put your feet down: She picked her way between the puddles. He picked his way down the narrow staircase.5pick your nose to remove mucus from your nose with your finger: Don’t pick your nose!6pick your teeth to remove bits of food from between your teeth with your finger or a small pointed object7pick somebody’s brains to ask someone who knows a lot about something for information and advice about it: Have you got a minute? I need to pick your brains.8pick a quarrel/fight (with somebody) to deliberately start a quarrel or fight with someone: I could see he was trying to pick a fight with me.9pick and choose to choose only the best people or things, or only the ones that you really like: Come on, you haven’t got time to pick and choose.10pick a lock to use something that is not a key to unlock a door, drawer etc: It’s quite easy to pick the lock on a car door.11pick a hole in something to make a hole in something by pulling it with your fingers: He had picked a hole in his jumper.12 pick holes in something informal to criticize an idea or a plan by saying what its weak points are: It’s easy to pick holes in her argument.13pick something clean to remove all the meat from a bone when you are eating14pick somebody’s pocket to quietly steal something from someone’s pocket15pick a winner informal to choose someone or something very good16pick something to pieces informal to criticize something very severely and in a very detailed way: I’m fed up with having my work picked to pieces.17musical instrument American English to play a musical instrument by pulling at its strings with your fingers SYN pluck → have a bone to pick with somebody at bone1(10)pick at something phrasal verb1to eat only small amounts of food because you do not feel hungry or do not like the food: Paige could only pick at her meal, forcing down a mouthful or two.2to touch something many times with your fingers, pulling it slightly: She was picking at her skirt.pick somebody/something ↔ off phrasal verb to point a weapon carefully at one person or animal in a group, and then shoot them: There were gunmen in some of the buildings who picked off our men as they went past.pick on somebody/something phrasal verb spoken1to behave in an unfair way to someone, for example by blaming them or criticizing them unfairly: Why don’t you pick on someone else for a change?2 British English to choose a particular person or thing: Just pick on one job and try to get that finished.pick somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb1choose to choose someone or something from a group: She picked out a navy blue dress. His story was picked out as the best by the judges.2recognize to recognize someone or something in a group of people or things: She was able to pick out her father at the other side of the room. I picked out Valerie’s voice from among the general conversation.3see if you can pick something out, you can see it but not very clearly: I could just pick out some letters carved into the stone.4shown clearly if something is picked out, it is in a different colour or material from the background, so that it can be clearly seen: His name was picked out in gold lettering.GRAMMAR Pick out is usually passive in this meaning.5play a tune to play a tune on a musical instrument slowly or with difficulty: He sat at the piano and picked out a simple tune.pick over something phrasal verb to examine a group of things very carefully in order to choose the ones you want: She was sitting at the kitchen table picking over a pile of mushrooms.pick through something phrasal verb to search through a pile of things to find things that you want: Police are still picking through the rubble looking for clues to the cause of the explosion.pick up phrasal verb1lift something/somebody up pick something/somebody ↔ up to lift something or someone up: He picked up the letter and read it. The phone rang and I picked it up. Mummy, can you pick me up?2pick yourself up to get up from the ground after you have fallen: Carol picked herself up and brushed the dirt off her coat.3tidy something pick something ↔ up American English to make a room or building tidy: Pick up your room before you go to bed.4get something pick something ↔ up informal a)to get or win something: He’s already picked up three major prizes this year. b)to buy something or get it from a shop etc: I picked up an evening paper on the way home. For more details, pick up a leaflet in your local post office. c)to get an illness: I picked up a virus while I was in America.5collect pick something ↔ up to collect something from a place: I’ll pick my things up later. She just dropped by to pick up her mail.6let somebody into a vehicle pick somebody ↔ up to let someone get into your car, boat etc and take them somewhere: I’ll pick you up at the station. The survivors were picked up by fishing boats from nearby villages.7learn pick something ↔ up to learn something by watching or listening to other people: I picked up a few words of Greek when I was there last year. Mary watched the other dancers to see if she could pick up any tips.8notice pick something ↔ up to notice something that is not easy to notice, such as a slight smell or a sign of something: I picked up a faint smell of coffee. The dogs picked up the scent and raced off. We picked up their tracks again on the other side of the river.9radio/signals pick something ↔ up if a machine picks up a sound, movement, or signal, it is able to notice it or receive it: The sensors pick up faint vibrations in the earth. I managed to pick up an American news broadcast.10sex pick somebody ↔ up to become friendly with someone you have just met because you want to have sex with them: young women sitting around in bars waiting to be picked up11start again a)if you pick up where you stopped or were interrupted, you start again from that point: We’ll meet again in the morning and we can pick up where we left off. b) pick something ↔ up if you pick up an idea that has been mentioned, you return to it and develop it further: I’d like to pick up what you said earlier. This same theme is picked up in his later works.12improve a)if a situation picks up, it improves: Her social life was picking up at last. The economy is finally beginning to pick up again. We’ve been through a bit of a bad patch, but things are picking up again now. b)pick somebody up if a medicine or drink picks you up, it makes you feel better13road pick something ↔ up if you pick up a road, you go onto it and start driving along it: We take the A14 to Birmingham and then pick up the M5.14train/bus pick something ↔ up if you pick up a train, bus etc, you get onto it and travel on it15pick up speed/steam to go faster: The train was gradually picking up speed.16pick up the bill/tab (for something) informal to pay for something: Why should the taxpayer pick up the tab for mistakes made by a private company?17wind if the wind picks up, it increases or grows stronger18colour pick something ↔ up if one thing picks up a colour in something else, it has an amount of the same colour in it so that the two things look nice together: I like the way the curtains pick up the red in the rug.19criminal pick somebody ↔ up if the police pick someone up, they take them somewhere to answer questions or to be locked up: He was picked up by police as he was trying to leave the country.20pick up the pieces (of something) to try to make your life normal again after something very bad has happened to you: Thousands of victims of the earthquake are now faced with the task of picking up the pieces of their lives.21pick up the threads (of something) if you pick up the threads of something that you were doing, you try to return to it and start doing it again after it stopped or was changed: Now that the war was over they could pick up the threads of their lives again.22pick your feet up spoken used to tell someone to walk properly or more quicklypick up after somebody phrasal verb informal to tidy things that someone else has left untidy: I’m tired of picking up after you!pick up on something phrasal verb1to notice something about the way someone is behaving or feeling, even though they are trying not to show it: Children pick up on our worries and anxieties.2to return to a point or an idea that has been mentioned and discuss it more: I’d like to pick up on a point that Steven made earlier.3pick somebody up on something to criticize someone slightly for something they have said: I knew he was lying and I should have picked him up on it.pick1 verbpick2 noun
pickpick2 ●○○ noun WORD ORIGINpick2
Origin:
1-3 1500-1600 ➔ PICK14-5 1300-1400 pikeEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Mutombo, the fourth pick in the NBA draft, is averaging 19 points a game.
- I faxed each of them the list of no-load stocks and asked for their picks.
- Instead, they still have the same seven picks, including the third overall and one in each round.
- Jacksonville took Hardy with the second pick, leaving Rice.
- Last season, his picks resulted in losses of $ 2, 370.
- Selkirk and four soldiers, well-armed, carrying picks and shovels, were waiting rather self-consciously near the main gate.
- They were armed with pick axe handles and staves.
Longman Language Activatorto decide which one you want
to decide which one of several things or possibilities you want: · I can't decide what I want. You choose.· Will you help me choose a present for Warren?choose to do something: · Why do so few women choose to become engineers?choose whether/which/when etc: · It took her three hours to choose which dress to wear.choose between (=choose one of two things): · We have to choose between doing geography or studying another language.choose from (=choose from among several things): · Import restrictions will reduce the number of cars buyers have to choose from.
informal to choose something, especially without thinking very carefully about it: · Pick a number from one to five.· Let me pick the movie tonight - I don't want to see another comedy.
formal to choose something by carefully thinking about which is the best or most suitable: · It's very important that parents select the right school for a child with learning difficulties.· Our wines have been carefully selected from vineyards throughout Europe.select something from something: · The team's name was selected from more than 1,700 suggestions.
spoken informal to choose something because you think it is the most attractive, interesting, or enjoyable: · I don't usually go for horror movies.· Whenever we eat out, she always goes for the most expensive thing on the menu.
to make a decision, especially a difficult decision, about which thing to choose: · I felt I was being forced to make a choice between my family and my job.· It had been difficult to leave her unhappy marriage, but she had made her choice.make the right/wrong choice: · Sean's decided to study law - I hope he's made the right choice.
if someone can take their pick , they can choose exactly the thing that they want without anything limiting their choice: · She showed me the box of kittens and told me I could take my pick.· With so many houses for sale, buyers with cash can take their pick.take your pick of: · The program's top graduate took her pick of five job offers.
WORD SETSa cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Have a look at the menu and take your pick. He knew he could take his pick of any of the girls in the office. Sarah could have her pick of any university in the country. She always gets first pick of the videos. There were fifteen candidates for the job, and he was the pick of the bunch (=the best one).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The price includes travel from your local pick-up point in the UK to your hotel in Paris. She picked up the receiver and dialled his number.
Have a look at the menu and take your pick. He knew he could take his pick of any of the girls in the office. Sarah could have her pick of any university in the country. She always gets first pick of the videos. There were fifteen candidates for the job, and he was the pick of the bunch (=the best one).· During his stay in England, he had picked up an English accent.
(=to get an award – used especially in news reports)· Angelina Jolie scooped up the award for best actress.
(=find one)· You can often pick up a bargain at an auction.
(=pay for something, especially when you do not want to)· Taxpayers will probably have to foot the bill.
(=ask someone for ideas)· I thought I’d pick Greg’s brains about what to take with us.
(=catch one)· He seems to pick up every bug going.
(=deliberately start a fight)· The guy tried to pick a fight with Jack.
· I'll pick some flowers to put on the table.
(=continue something that has stopped for a short time) Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.
Barry took up the story where Justine had left off. (also navigate/negotiate a minefield) (=behave in a careful way to avoid problems in a difficult situation)· The guide helps you pick your way through the minefield of buying a new car.
(=remove substances from inside your nose with your finger)· Stop picking your nose, Freddy.
The price includes travel from your local pick-up point in the UK to your hotel in Paris. (=deliberately start it)· Members of the gang were picking quarrels with strangers.
She picked up the receiver and dialled his number.· The antenna that will pick up the signals is a 12-metre dish.
(=go faster)· The Mercedes was gradually picking up speed.
· As soon as she got home, she picked up the telephone and dialled his number.
· If you listen to the show, you’ll pick up some really useful gardening tips.
(=large vehicles used for particular purposes) His car was taken away on the back of a breakdown truck.
His car was taken away on the back of a breakdown truck. (also the wind gets up British English) (=becomes stronger)· The rain beat down and the wind was picking up.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· As compensation, the Lakers are awarded a 1979 first-round draft pick, which they use to select Magic Johnson.· The Flyers might let Lindros go to Toronto and accept draft-pick compensation.· That day, right wing Ray Sheppard went to Florida for draft picks.· The former No. 1 draft pick hit. 326 with 71 RBIs last year.· Hobert was acquired from the Raiders for a third-round draft pick in the offseason.· We can always hope for a top draft pick.· He made 55 trades of players or draft picks, moves that produced 11 Pro Bowl players.
NOUN· Winter hunting equipment, for example-including snow goggles, ice picks, and harpoons-was stored in skin bags.· It was as if ice picks had been driven into my ear.· Blue Mooney squatted next to a pink-and-white Pontiac as he stabbed the ice pick into the fourth tire.
VERB· Follow it through one week - or pick and choose the ideas that appeal to you.· It looks very much as if Bush examined the possibility of making a radical pick, and then chose against it.· But no; they wandered by him, offering themselves like gifts - pick, choose; pick, choose.· It should not be a matter of pick and choose, as the Government please.
· An assortment of well-ventilated ferret carrying-boxes. Take your pick A compartmental ferret-box - the ferrets sitting placidly.· He also planned to recommend not one, but three solid pastoral candidates of whom the cardinal could take his pick.· Or: she doesn't understand him at all, nor cares to understand. Take your pick.· Big and bold or overdone, take your pick.· No, they take their pick.· Nemo or Popeye, take your pick.· Berlin took their pick, then allowed Sotheby's to sell what was left over.· Then I took out my picks and went back to the guest room.
· Sometimes I have to dig a path through the snow down to the stream and use a pick on the frozen stream.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have a bone to pick with somebody► pick up/take up the gauntlet► be drawn/pulled/picked out of the/a hat► take up/pick up the slack
1[uncountable] if you can have your pick or take your pick of different things, you can choose which one you want: - It's the pick of this month's new movies.
- And the good news is you can download the pick of the crop, for free.
- As the Helliwell sisters always had the pick of the best jobs, they of course lived there while working in London.
- Bob Matthews was the pick of the Talybont bowlers taking 1-12 while John Wheeler grabbed 2-47.
- It's the pick of the ties although the game between holders East Belfast and Killyleagh will attract a lot of attention.
- Joey Benjamin was the pick of the Surrey bowlers with four for 79 off 29 overs.
- No question, though, about the pick of probably the largest and choicest crop of books in the game's history.
- Others however, may be losing out because the online account they chose is no longer the pick of the bunch.
- This site provides information on the pick of the current deals and a mortgage search facility.
- But me third was the best of the bunch.
- Either they are one of the best of the bunch at home, or they make their name abroad.
- Even these modest broadcasts show only the best of the bunch.
- He may be the best of the bunch.
- It's also the best of the bunch for multi-processing, he says.
- Nevertheless as an introduction it is the best of the bunch.
- Woolwich is the best of the bunch, trading at a multiple to future earnings of 10.3.
- A garland of freshly picked marigolds hung from the mirror.
- A good addition to dried apricot fool is a spoonful or two of freshly ground almonds.
- Add the mascarpone Reheat, adding the mascarpone and correcting the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with a tablespoon or so of olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Season generously with freshly ground pepper and add salt to taste.
- Squeeze over some lemon juice and add freshly ground pepper.
- Sure enough, inside we found some beautiful zucchini and tomatoes, freshly picked from a nearby garden.
- There were dates and a delicious bowl of freshly made cottage cheese.
- But Dehlavi takes his time getting up steam, leaving a good 20 minutes of surplus slack in these two hours.
- Cons: Just when the bobsled builds up steam, brakes on the track slow it down.
- If the economy is picking up steam, the recovery may be nipped in the bud by renewed Fed tightening.
- Indications the economy may be picking up steam hurt bonds by sparking concern inflation may accelerate, eroding bonds' fixed payments.
- Millionaire publisher Steve Forbes, who is suddenly picking up steam?
- The black-out protest is expected to pick up steam after the president signs the bill.
- Airlines will have to pick up the tab for new safety regulations.
- Usually the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab for a publicity tour.
- We all went out to dinner, and Adam picked up the tab.
- He wouldn't pick up the tab for anyone else.
- I wonder to myself as I pick up the tab for breakfast.
- In addition, my company will pick up the tab for all legal and moving expenses.
- Normally, developers paying a barrister to represent them at an inquiry must pick up the tab.
- Often, the book publisher, not the author, picks up the tab.
- Thus, port officials argue, the city should have picked up the tab for fixing the recently revealed environmental problems.
- When the check comes, the lobbyists almost always pick up the tab.
- Enough to do picking up the threads of his own life.
- He picked up the thread and followed it.
- She gradually started to pick up the threads of her life.
- They talked non-stop in an elaborate relay race, one picking up the thread as soon as the other paused for breath.
Have a look at the menu and take your pick. He knew he could take his pick of any of the girls in the office. Sarah could have her pick of any university in the country.have/get first pick (of something) She always gets first pick of the videos.2the pick of something informal the best things in a group: In tonight’s programme we’ll be discussing the pick of this month’s new movies. There were fifteen candidates for the job, and he was the pick of the bunch (=the best one).3[countable] informal your pick is the person or thing that you have chosen from a group SYN choice: There are a lot of good horses in the race, but Archimedes would be my pick.4[countable] a pickaxe5[countable] informal a small flat object that you use for pulling at the strings of a musical instrument such as a guitar SYN plectrum → ice pick