pick up on

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === pick up on (third-person singular simple present picks up on, present participle picking up on, simple past and past participle picked up on) (transitive, idiomatic) To notice, observe, learn, or understand, especially something otherwise overlooked. 2011 Allen Gregory, "Pilot" (season 1, episode 1): Patrick: Well, maybe you're just too smart for everybody. Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Hmm, that's a good point, Pete. You pick up on stuff, don't you? Patrick: I don't know. It's Patrick, though. Allen Gregory: I don't care. (transitive, idiomatic) To continue or build upon (for example, a task, analysis, or narrative), beginning from a point at which someone has previously stopped. (transitive, idiomatic) To adopt a practice in which others already engage. ==== Synonyms ==== (notice): grasp, spot (continue): resume (adopt a practice of others): imitate ==== Translations ==== === References === “pick up on”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.