English Reference

Phrasal verb

pick up

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

pick up

Past

picked up

Past participle

picked up

Definition

phrasal verb. to collect someone or something from a place, usually in a car.

phrasal verb. to collect a person or object from a specific location, often by vehicle. The verb is transitive and optionally separable.

Examples

“I will pick you up at the station at six.”

“Can you pick up some milk on your way home from work today?”

“The courier is scheduled to pick up the confidential documents before the office closes for the weekend.”

Examples

simple

“I will pick you up at the station at six.”

contextual

“Can you pick up some milk on your way home from work today?”

complex

“The courier is scheduled to pick up the confidential documents before the office closes for the weekend.”

Usage

when the object is a pronoun like 'me' or 'it', it must go between 'pick' and 'up'.

Teaching tip

this is a separable phrasal verb; use it to practice pronoun placement (pick it up vs. pick up it).

Pitfall

I will pick up him at five.

I will pick him up at five.

when the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

pick + up + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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English Reference