Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pick up on

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.05 in modern English

Syllables: pick- up on
IPA

18

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked.

Transitive verb

verb

To continue or build upon (for example, a task, analysis, or narrative), beginning from a point at which someone has previously stopped.

Transitive verb

verb

To adopt a practice in which others already engage.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

""Remember, I know more about it than only what you picked up on that morning.""
"No wonder I didn't pick up on what was happening."
"Why didn't the police or the school pick up on the killers' warning signs?"
"Patrick: Well, maybe you're just too smart for everybody. Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hmm, that's a good point, Pete. You pick up on stuff, don't you? Patrick: I don't know. It's Patrick, though. Allen Gregory: I don't care."
"Readers and bloggers alertly picked up on the nuances of language, and what some called the inconsistencies."
"Making recommendations to GBRf to improve its fatigue management, RAIB notes that GBRf missed an opportunity to pick up on the driver's potential fatigue."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

picks up on (present, singular) picking up on (participle, present) picked up on (participle, past) picked up on (past)

Synonyms

grasp spot resume imitate

Questions

What does pick up on mean?: To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked.

How to pronounce pick up on

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pick up on”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “pick up on” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.