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pick up on

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌpɪk ˈʌp ɑn/ · UK /ˌpɪk ˈʌp ɒn/

pick up on means: To notice or understand something, especially a small sign that other people may miss.

verb

NOTICEB2

To notice or understand something, especially a small sign that other people may miss.

  • She picked up on my mistake.
  • Children often pick up on their parents’ moods.
  • Did anyone pick up on the hint he gave us?

How to use it: pick up on something (She picked up on the tension in his voice.)

Similar words: notice, detect, spot

Opposites: overlook, miss

Common phrases: pick up on something, pick up on hints

CONTINUE IDEAC1

To continue discussing or developing something from where another person stopped.

  • Let me pick up on that point.
  • The next speaker picked up on Maria’s argument.
  • Our research picks up on ideas from the earlier study.

How to use it: pick up on something (I would like to pick up on your earlier point.)

Similar words: build on, follow up on

Common phrases: pick up on something, pick up on ideas

ADOPT PRACTICEC1

To start doing something that other people are already doing.

  • Other cafés picked up on the trend.
  • Teenagers quickly picked up on the new style of dancing.
  • Several firms have picked up on the practice of shorter meetings.

How to use it: pick up on something (Other schools picked up on the practice of outdoor lessons.)

Similar words: adopt, take up

Common phrases: pick up on trends, pick up on something

Questions about pick up on

What does pick up on mean?

To notice or understand something, especially a small sign that other people may miss.

What is pick up on in other languages?

Türkçe: fark etmek · Español: notar · Français: remarquer · Deutsch: bemerken · Italiano: notare · 日本語: 気づく

How do you pronounce pick up on?

In American English /ˌpɪk ˈʌp ɑn/; in British English /ˌpɪk ˈʌp ɒn/.

How do you use pick up on in a sentence?

She picked up on my mistake. Children often pick up on their parents’ moods.

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pick up on in other languages

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