pick up
To lift; to grasp and raise.
When you pick up the bag, make sure to support the bottom.
To collect an object, especially in passing.
Can you pick up a pint of milk on your way home?
To clean up; to return to an organized state.
Aren't you going to pick up after yourself?
To collect a passenger.
I'll pick you up outside the library.
To collect and detain (a suspect).
The cops have picked up the man they were looking for.
To obtain and publish a story, news item, etc.
The story does not seem to have been widely picked up.
To improve, increase or speed up.
Prices seem to be picking up again. I was in bed sick this morning, but I'm picking up now.
To restart or resume.
Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
To learn, to grasp; to begin to understand; to realize.
It looks complicated, but you'll soon pick it up.
To receive (a radio signal or the like).
With the new antenna, I can pick up stations all the way from Omaha.
To notice, detect or discern; to pick up on
Did you pick up his nervousness?
To point out (a person's behaviour, habits or actions) in a critical manner.
She's always picking me up on my grammar.
To meet and seduce somebody for romantic purposes, especially in a social situation.
He was in the fabric store not to buy fabric but to pick up women. She could tell he intended to pick up on her. Did you pick up at the party last night?
To answer a telephone. See pick up the phone.
I'm calling him, but he just isn't picking up!
(of a phone) To receive calls; to function correctly.
I've tried his home number a couple times, but it isn't picking up.
To pay for.
The company will pick up lunch with customers for sales calls.
To reduce the despondency of.
To take control (physically) of something.
To mark, to defend against an opposition player by following them closely.
To record; to notch up.
To behave in a manner that results in a foul.