ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pick up what someone is putting down

idiom
Meaning

To understand, pay attention to, or learn from what someone says or does.


Examples
SIMPLE

I pick up what you are putting down.

CONTEXTUAL

She explained the new rules clearly, and I think everyone finally picked up what she was putting down.

COMPLEX

Although the professor spoke in riddles, the attentive students eventually picked up what he was putting down regarding the final exam.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ain't what it used to was

    Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).

  2. 02

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  3. 03

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  4. 04

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  5. 05

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  6. 06

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  8. 08

    captain's pick

    A decision made by a leader without consulting others.

Last updated April 17, 2026