picks, picked, picking
to pick up
phrasal verbC
To notice or detect something
- 1She picked up on his nervousness.
- 2He picked up the scent of flowers.
When you see or hear something that others might not see or hear, you become aware of it. For example, you might hear a quiet sound in the room or see a small detail in a picture. It means you sense or realize something that is not obvious.
Doctors often pick up early signs of illness by noticing small changes in a patient's behavior or appearance that others might miss.
Marks every word in this card as Known in your Word Bank. Words you selected as To Study are skipped. You can change any word later in your Word Bank.
while taking a walk
Noticing the Change
John
Did you notice how the leaves are changing colors?
Sandra
Yes, I picked up on that last week.
John
It's amazing how quickly it happens.
Sandra
Absolutely, it's like nature's own art show.
in a shopping center
Observing the Subtle Signs
Stephanie
Did you see how everyone is rushing today?
John
Yeah, I picked up on the urgency in their steps.
Stephanie
It's probably because of the big sale.
John
That makes sense; the discounts are hard to ignore.
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Similar to "to pick up":
- 1notice
- 2detect
