Differences between come up and pick up
Come up usually means to arise or happen unexpectedly, while pick up generally means to lift something or someone or to collect something.
Meanings and Definitions: come up vs pick up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Come up
- 1Appear.
I'll be late home tonight because something's COME UP at work has to be ready for tomorrow morning.
- 2Rise ( the sun ).
The sun CAME UP just as we reached the outskirts of the town.
Pick up
- 1Improve.
Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.
- 2Learn quickly.
She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.
- 3Collect.
While you're in town, can you PICK UP my trousers from the Dry Cleaner?
- 4Receive ( a broadcast ).
When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel 5.
- 5Collect ( a person ). This differs from the' collect a thing' meaning - as that means' collect and bring back' whereas this means either ( i )' collect and drop off on your way' or ( ii )' collect and bring to the same destination'..
i ) Can you PICK me UP and take me to The George when you go to the party? ii ) Can you PICK UP some friends of mine on your way to the party? They're going too.
Usage Examples: come up, pick up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
come up
Example
A new issue has come up at work, and I need to deal with it.
Example
Whenever a problem comes up, she always finds a solution.
pick up
Example
I need to pick up my dry cleaning today.
Example
She picks up her kids from school every day.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Come up
crop up
To appear or happen unexpectedly or suddenly.
Example
A few issues cropped up during the project, but we managed to resolve them quickly.
To happen or occur unexpectedly or spontaneously.
Example
A new opportunity arose when she met a potential investor at a networking event.
spring up
To emerge or appear suddenly or unexpectedly.
Example
New businesses spring up every year in this area due to its growing popularity.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up
lift up
To raise or elevate something or someone using physical effort.
Example
He had to lift up the heavy box to move it to the other room.
To gather or retrieve something from a specific location or person.
Example
I need to collect my package from the post office before it closes.
To go and get something or someone from a specific location.
Example
Can you fetch me a glass of water from the kitchen, please?
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “come”
Phrasal Verbs with “pick”
Phrasal Verbs with “up”
Differences in come up vs pick up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: come up or pick up?
In daily conversation, people use pick up more often than come up. This is because pick up is used for more daily tasks and routines such as picking up groceries or picking up a friend from the airport. Come up is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about unexpected situations. So, while both phrases are used, pick up is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of come up and pick up
Come up and pick up are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of come up and pick up
The tone of come up and pick up can differ based on context. Come up often carries a surprised or unexpected tone when related to an event or situation, while pick up typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to lifting objects or collecting items.
