Differences between gather up and pick up
Gather up and pick up are similar in that they both involve collecting items, but gather up implies a more deliberate and organized effort to collect things, while pick up is more casual and can refer to simply grabbing something off the ground or picking up an item while running errands.
Meanings and Definitions: gather up vs pick up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Gather up
- 1To collect or bring together.
Janet quickly gathered up her books and left the classroom.
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: gather up, pick up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
gather up
Example
Please gather up your belongings before leaving the room.
Example
She gathers up her children for dinner every evening.
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 Gather up
To bring together or accumulate items in one place.
Example
She decided to collect all the paperwork she needed before starting the project.
round up
To bring together or locate people or animals.
Example
The farmer had to round up all the cows that had escaped from the barn.
To gather or put together items or people in a specific order or arrangement.
Example
He had to assemble all the parts of the bookshelf before he could use it.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up
To take hold of something quickly or suddenly.
Example
He had to grab his hat before it blew away in the wind.
To go and get something, usually for someone else.
Example
She had to fetch her sister from the airport since she didn't have a car.
To obtain or gain possession of something.
Example
He was able to acquire a rare book from the library's special collection.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “pick”
Phrasal Verbs with “up”
Differences in gather up vs pick up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: gather up or pick up?
Both gather up and pick up are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, pick up is more frequently used in casual settings, while gather up is more often used in situations where there is a need to collect and organize items.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of gather up and pick up
Both gather up and pick up are informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of gather up and pick up
The tone of gather up and pick up can differ based on context. Gather up often carries a more intentional and purposeful tone, while pick up typically has a more casual and spontaneous tone.
gather up & pick up: Synonyms and Antonyms
Gather up
Antonyms
- disperse
- scatter
- separate
- distribute
- divide
- spread out
