Idioms for pick

Origin of pick

1
1250–1300; v. Middle English pyken, pikken, pekken, cognate with Dutch pikken, German picken, Old Norse pikka to pick; akin to peck2, pike5; (noun) derivative of the v.

synonym study for pick

1. See choose.

OTHER WORDS FROM pick

pick·a·ble, adjective un·pick·a·ble, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for pick up (1 of 3)

pick 1
/ (pɪk) /

verb

noun

Derived forms of pick

pickable, adjective

Word Origin for pick

C15: from earlier piken to pick, influenced by French piquer to pierce; compare Middle Low German picken, Dutch pikken

British Dictionary definitions for pick up (2 of 3)

pick 2
/ (pɪk) /

noun

a tool with a handle carrying a long steel head curved and tapering to a point at one or both ends, used for loosening soil, breaking rocks, etc
any of various tools used for picking, such as an ice pick or toothpick
a plectrum

verb

(tr) to pierce, dig, or break up (a hard surface) with a pick
(tr) to form (a hole) in this way

Word Origin for pick

C14: perhaps variant of pike ²

British Dictionary definitions for pick up (3 of 3)

pick 3
/ (in weaving pɪk) /

verb

(tr) to cast (a shuttle)

noun

one casting of a shuttle
a weft or filling thread

Word Origin for pick

C14: variant of pitch 1

Idioms and Phrases with pick up (1 of 2)

pick up

1

Lift, take up by hand, as in Please pick up that book from the floor. [Early 1300s]

2

Collect or gather, as in First they had to pick up the pieces of broken glass.

3

Tidy, put in order, as in Let's pick up the bedroom, or I'm always picking up after Pat. [Mid-1800s]

4

Take on passengers or freight, as in The bus picks up commuters at three stops.

5

Acquire casually, get without great effort or by accident. For example, I picked up a nice coat at the sale, or She had no trouble picking up French. This usage is even extended to contracting diseases, as in I think I picked up the baby's cold. [Early 1500s]

6

Claim, as in He picked up his laundry every Friday.

7

Buy, as in Please pick up some wine at the store on your way home.

8

pick up the bill or check or tab. Accept a charge in order to pay it, as in They always wait for us to pick up the tab. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]

9

Increase speed or rate, as in The plane picked up speed, or The conductor told the strings to pick up the tempo.

10

Gain, as in They picked up five yards on that pass play.

11

Take into custody, apprehend, as in The police picked him up for burglary. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]

12

Make a casual acquaintance with, especially in anticipation of sexual relations, as in A stranger tried to pick her up at the bus station. [Slang; late 1800s]

13

Come upon, find, detect, as in The dog picked up the scent, or They picked up two submarines on sonar, or I can't pick up that station on the car radio.

14

Resume, as in Let's pick up the conversation after lunch.

15

Improve or cause to improve in condition or activity, as in Sales picked up last fall, or He picked up quickly after he got home from the hospital, or A cup of coffee will pick you up. [1700s]

16

Gather one's belongings, as in She just picked up and left him.

17

pick oneself up. Recover from a fall or other mishap, as in Jim picked himself up and stood there waiting. [Mid-1800s] Also see the subsequent entries beginning with pick up.

Idioms and Phrases with pick up (2 of 2)

pick