Pick it up is a phrasal verb typically used informally and colloquially, originating from the verb "pick" and the adverbial particle "up." It can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
1. To lift or raise something from a lower position or level. For instance, when someone says, "Pick it up," they are asking someone to physically grasp an object that is on the ground or below their current position and lift it.
2. To improve or increase the pace of something. In this sense, the phrase often denotes accelerating or progressing with a particular task or activity. For example, when someone says, "Come on, pick it up!" during a sports game or exercise, they are urging their teammates or participants to intensify their efforts or speed.
3. To answer a ringing telephone or respond to a call. When someone says, "Can you please pick it up?," they are requesting the listener to answer an incoming phone call.
4. To resume an activity or continue where one left off. It can be used to refer to various situations, such as when someone says, "Let's pick it up from where we left off," indicating a desire to continue a discussion, project, or any other incomplete task.
These definitions highlight some common uses of the phrasal verb "pick it up." However, as language is dynamic, the meaning can slightly vary based on context and individual usage.
