English Reference
Idiom idiom

pick up what someone is putting down


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

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


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.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

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    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

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    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  5. 05

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    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  6. 06

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    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 August 10, 2026