Answer Key
1. out, 2. up, 3. up on, 4. at, 5. on, 6. over
== FYI ==============================================================
Phrasal Verbs:
pick apart
To refute or find flaws in by close examination: The lawyer picked the testimony apart.
pick at
1. To pluck or pull at, especially with the fingers.
2. To eat sparingly or without appetite: The child just picked at the food.
3. Informal To nag: Don't pick at me.
pick off
1. To shoot after singling out: The hunter picked the ducks off one by one.
2. Baseball To catch (a base runner) off base and put out with a quick throw, as from the pitcher or catcher, often to a specified base.
3. Sports To intercept, as a football pass.
pick on
To tease or bully.
pick out
1. To choose or select: picked out a nice watch.
2. To discern from the surroundings; distinguish: picked out their cousins from the crowd.
pick over
To sort out or examine item by item: picked over the grapes before buying them.
pick up
1.
a. To take up (something) by hand: pick up a book.
b. To collect or gather: picked up some pebbles.
c. To tidy up: picked up the bedroom.
2. To take on (passengers or freight, for example): The bus picks up commuters at five stops.
3. Informal
a. To acquire casually or by accident: picked up a new coat on sale.
b. To acquire (knowledge) by learning or experience: picked up French quickly.
c. To claim: picked up her car at the repair shop.
d. To buy: picked up some milk at the store.
e. To accept (a bill or charge) in order to pay it: Let me pick up the tab.
f. To come down with (a disease): picked up a virus at school.
g. To gain: picked up five yards on that play.
4. Informal To take into custody: The agents picked up six smugglers.
5. Slang To make casual acquaintance with, usually in anticipation of sexual relations.
6.
a. To come upon and follow: The dog picked up the scent.
b. To come upon and observe: picked up two submarines on sonar.
7. To continue after a break: Let's pick up the discussion after lunch.
8. Informal To improve in condition or activity: Sales picked up last fall.
9. Slang To prepare a sudden departure: She just picked up and left.
Idioms:
Idioms:
pick and choose
To select with great care.
pick holes in
To seek and discover flaws or a flaw in: picked holes in the argument.
pick (one's) way
To find passage and make careful progress through it: picked her way down the slope.
pick (someone) to pieces
To criticize sharply.
pick up on Informal
1. To take into the mind and understand, typically with speed: is quick to pick up on new computer skills.
2. To notice: picked up on my roommate's bad mood and left him alone.
