pick sb/sth up
— phrasal verb with pick uk/pɪk/us/pɪk/verb
(LIFT)
A2 to lift someone or something using your hands:
If she starts to cry, pick her up and give her a cuddle.
I picked up the kids' clothes that were lying on the floor.
I went to pick up the phone/receiver, but it had stopped ringing.
More examples
- Keep your fingers away from the crab's claws when you pick it up.
- I can't pick the kettle up - the handle's too hot.
- Could you pick the phone up for me - my hands are wet.
- The child reached down and picked up the kitten.
- He picked up the baby and gently rocked her to sleep.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Raising and lowering
- elevate
- elevated
- erect
- go down
- hike sth up
- hoick
- hoist
- jack
- jack sth up
- lever
- leverage
- lower
- prick (sth) up
- pry
- put
- ride
- ride up
- run
- scoop sth/sb up
- winch
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(COLLECT)
A2 to collect, or to go and get, someone or something:
When you're in town could you pick up the books I ordered?
Whose turn is it to pick the children up after school?
The crew of the sinking tanker were picked up (= saved from the sea) by helicopter.
More examples
- Could you pick up my suit from the cleaner's for me, please?
- I'll come and pick you up in the car if you like.
- Drop by and pick up that book sometime.
- I'll come back and pick you up in half an hour.
- You can pay now or when you come back to pick up the paint.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Transferring and transporting objects
- bearer
- borne
- bring
- budge
- bus
- call for sb
- drop
- ferry
- freight
- put sb down somewhere
- road haulage
- route
- shuffle
- spirit
- tear 1
- tear sb away
- tote
- transfer
- transport
- transportation
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Meeting people