pick up — detect
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
To notice or sense something, often using equipment or special skills.
Say it like a native
Textbook The sensor is capable of detecting even minute fluctuations.
Native The sensor picks up even tiny changes.
'Pick up' is the everyday verb for a device detecting something; 'detect minute fluctuations' is technical.
Pattern: pick (something) up
In use
- The microphone can pick up even the quietest sounds.communication
- Modern medical equipment can pick up early signs of illness that people might miss.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ The mic didn't pick up of my voice.
✓ The mic didn't pick up my voice.
'Pick up' takes the object directly — no 'of'.
Common collocations
pick up + signal— a signal, the noise, movement, an error
Don't confuse it
Not about collecting objects or learning skills.
Related
- pick up (collect) — Another meaning of 'pick up' is 'collect'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.