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
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pick-up