pick something up

pick something up†

1. Lit. to lift up or raise something from a lower place. •

Please help me pick this stuff up off the pavement.

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Pick up every bit of it!

2. Fig. to tidy up or clean up a room or some other place. •

Let's pick this room up in a hurry.

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I want you to pick up the entire house.

3. Fig. to find, purchase, or acquire something. •

Where did you pick that up?

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I picked up this tool at the hardware store.

4. Fig. to learn something. •

I pick languages up easily.

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I picked up a lot of knowledge about music from my brother.

5. Fig. to cause something to go faster, especially music. •

All right, let's pick up the tempo and get it moving faster.

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Okay, get moving. Pick it up!

6. Fig. to resume something. •

Pick it up right where you stopped.

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I'll have to pick up my work where I left off.

7. Fig. to receive radio signals; to bring something into view. •

I can just pick it up with a powerful telescope.

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I can hardly pick up a signal.

8. Fig. to find a trail or route. •

The dogs finally picked the scent up.

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You should pick up highway 80 in a few miles.