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Phrasal verbs "give up" vs "pick up"

Differences between give up and pick up

Give up means to stop doing something, especially when it's difficult or you've been doing it for a long time. Pick up means to learn or acquire a new skill or habit.

Meanings and Definitions: give up vs pick up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Give up

  • 1Stop doing something that has been a habit.

    I GAVE UP taking sugar in tea and coffee to lose weight.

  • 2Stop being friendly, end relationships.

    She GAVE UP all her school friends when she went to university.

  • 3Stop doing something.

    I have GIVEN UP trying to help them.

  • 4Surrender, stop trying.

    I can't think of the answer; I GIVE UP.

  • 5Sacrifice or dedicate time, etc, to something.

    I GAVE UP all my free time to the project.

  • 6Allow someone to sit in your chair, take your place, etc.

    I GAVE UP my seat to a pregnant woman.

  • 7Allow or give away a run while pitching ( baseball ).

    He has GIVEN UP 14 earned runs in 14 innings.

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: give up, pick up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

give up

Example

I decided to give up eating junk food.

Example

She gives up too easily when things get tough.

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 Give up

throw in the towel

To give up or quit something, especially after trying hard and not succeeding.

Example

After months of trying to fix the old car, he finally threw in the towel and bought a new one.

call it quits

To decide to stop doing something, especially when it's no longer enjoyable or profitable.

Example

After losing money for several months, they decided to call it quits and close the business.

give something a rest

To stop doing something for a while, especially when it's tiring or frustrating.

Example

After studying for hours, she decided to give her brain a rest and watch a movie.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up

learn the ropes

To learn how to do something, especially a new job or task.

Example

It took him a few weeks to learn the ropes of his new job, but he eventually became an expert.

acquire a taste for

To develop a liking or appreciation for something over time.

Example

At first, she didn't like sushi, but after trying it a few times, she acquired a taste for it.

take on

To start doing something new or challenging, especially when it requires effort or commitment.

Example

She decided to take on a new hobby and started learning how to paint.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in give up vs pick up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: give up or pick up?

In daily conversation, people use give up more often than pick up. This is because give up is used in a variety of situations, such as quitting a job or ending a relationship. Pick up is less common but still used frequently enough in conversations about learning new things or developing new habits.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of give up and pick up

Give up and pick up are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, pick up can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts when discussing learning or acquiring new skills.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of give up and pick up

The tone of give up and pick up can differ based on context. Give up often carries a negative or defeated tone when related to quitting or ending something, while pick up typically has a positive and motivated tone, especially when referring to learning or acquiring new skills.

give up & pick up: Synonyms and Antonyms

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