Phrasal verbs "hang up" vs "pick up"

Differences between hang up and pick up

Hang up means to end a phone call, while pick up means to answer or receive a phone call.

Meanings and Definitions: hang up vs pick up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hang up

• 1. End a phone call.

  I lost my temper and HUNG UP.

Pick up

• 1. Improve.

  Sales PICKED UP a bit during the Christmas period.

• 2. Learn quickly.

  She PICKED UP Spanish in six months.

• 3. Collect.

  While you're in town, can you PICK UP my trousers from the Dry Cleaner?

• 4. Receive ( a broadcast ).

  When we rent a holiday cottage in Cornwall, we can't PICK UP Channel 5.

• 5. Collect ( 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: hang up, pick up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hang up

Example

Please hang up and try your call again.

Example

She always hangs up when she hears a telemarketer.

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 Hang up

end a call

To terminate a phone conversation by disconnecting the call.

Example

I had to end the call and attend to an urgent matter.

put down the phone

To end a phone conversation by placing the phone back on its receiver.

Example

She was so angry that she put down the phone without saying goodbye.

disconnect

To break the connection between two devices, such as a phone call or internet connection.

Example

He accidentally disconnected the call while trying to switch to speaker mode.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up

answer a call

To respond to an incoming phone call by picking up the phone.

Example

I couldn't answer the call as I was driving, so I pulled over and called back later.

take a call

To receive or accept a phone call.

Example

She was in a meeting but had to take the call from her boss.

respond to a call

To react or reply to an incoming phone call.

Example

He didn't respond to the call as he didn't recognize the number.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “hang”

• hang with
• hang together
• hang out
• hang out for
• hang it up

Phrasal Verbs with “pick”

• pick at
• pick through
• pick off
• pick up after
• pick on

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

• bulk up
• slip up
• perk up
• wrap up
• budge up

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

Frequency in Daily Use: hang up or pick up?

Both hang up and pick up are commonly used in daily conversations. However, pick up is more frequently used as it refers to the action of answering a call, which is a more common occurrence than ending a call.

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

Both hang up and pick up are informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions 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 hang up and pick up

The tone of hang up and pick up can differ based on context. Hang up often carries a negative or abrupt tone when related to ending a call, while pick up typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to answering a call.

hang up & pick up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hang up

Synonyms

• disconnect
• end
• terminate
• finish
• cut off

Antonyms

• answer
• start
• dial
• pick up
• connect

Pick up

Synonyms

• collect
• retrieve
• gather
• fetch
• acquire
• learn
• grasp
• improve
• receive
• lift

Antonyms

• leave
• ignore
• miss
• deteriorate
• lose
• drop off
• decline