To pick up
Example: He picks up new skills quickly during training sessions
Definition
"To pick up" means to learn or acquire something new, often skills or knowledge, usually through experience or practice rather than formal instruction. For example, someone might "pick up" a language or a habit naturally over time.
Etymology
The phrase "to pick up" originates from the literal action of lifting or gathering something by hand. Over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to include acquiring skills or knowledge, as if 'lifting' them from the environment. Did you know it combines a physical action with a figurative sense of learning?
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"To pick up" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - (B1) - set 1", containing 115 commonly used words.
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