Kee
Hi, this is Kee from BBC Learning English. Today I'm going to tell you three different ways of using the phrasal verb pick up.
First, we use pick up to describe learning something. So, for example, I can say: Children pick up languages very quickly. And so can you at BBC Learning English!
Second, we use pick up informally to describe buying something. For example: I often pick up some milk on my way home.
Third, we use pick up to describe getting an illness. I think I picked up a cold.
So, we can pick up languages, pick up some milk and pick up a cold.
Three ways to use 'pick up'
'Pick up' is a phrasal verb. This means it is a verb (pick) followed by a particle (up). Phrasal verbs are tricky because they can have many different meanings depending on the context.
Learning something
We can use pick up to describe learning something
Children pick up languages very quickly.
I picked up the guitar from spending time with musicians.
Buying something
We can use pick up informally to describe buying something.
I often pick up some milk on my way home.
She picks up lots of items in the Christmas sales.
Getting an illness
We can use pick up to describe getting an illness.
I think I picked up a cold.
He picked up the flu from his classmates.
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