"Pick up" implies that something is lifted or collected from the ground or a lower level, while "pick" is more general and can refer to choosing or selecting something.
"Pick up" often involves physically touching or holding something, whereas "pick" can often be done from a distance or without making contact.
"Pick up" can also convey an improvement or enhancement, such as picking up someone's spirits or picking up the pace of a project, while "pick" does not have this connotation.
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What is the definition of “pick up” and “pick”?
Pick up
To lift (something) with your fingers, hands, or with a tool.
To collect or gather up (someone or something).
To improve or increase; to enhance something.
Pick
To choose or select (someone or something).
To pluck or remove (something) with fingers or tools.
To play (a stringed instrument) by moving fingers up and down the strings.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Pick” is the more popular variant on the web.
Pick up
685,000,000 results on the web
Examples
Could you please pick up those books on your way to the library?
I'll pick up some food from the store on my way back from work.
My mom will pick me up from the airport tonight.
More popular
Pick
2,730,000,000 results on the web
Examples
Could you pick a number between 1 and 10 for me?
I'm going to pick the red shirt for tonight's party.
Let's pick a date for our next meeting.
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