Differences between lay up and pick up
Lay up usually means to store or save something for future use, while pick up generally means to lift or take something from one place to another.
Meanings and Definitions: lay up vs pick up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Lay up
- 1To be confined or unable to move due to injury or illness.
He was wounded in an air-raid when on the run, lay up for a long while, then got knocked about by Gestapo thugs.
- 2To stay or hide in a particular place.
I'm thinking we'd best lay up in this crack till night's over.
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: lay up, pick up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
lay up
Example
He had to lay up for a few weeks after breaking his leg.
Example
She lays up whenever she has a migraine.
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 Lay up
To accumulate or gather a large quantity of something for future use.
Example
The government decided to stockpile medical supplies in case of an emergency.
To collect and keep a large amount of something, often excessively or unnecessarily.
Example
He had a tendency to hoard old newspapers and magazines, even though he never read them again.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up
lift up
To raise or elevate something from a lower position.
Example
She had to lift up the heavy box to put it on the shelf.
To gather or assemble things from different places or sources.
Example
He had to collect all the documents before the meeting started.
To go and bring something back, often for someone else.
Example
She asked him to fetch her a glass of water from the kitchen.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “pick”
Differences in lay up vs pick up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: lay up or pick up?
In daily conversation, people use pick up more often than lay 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. Lay up is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about storing something for later use. So, while both phrases are used, pick up is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of lay up and pick up
Lay 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 lay up and pick up
The tone of lay up and pick up can differ based on context. Lay up often carries a practical or cautious tone when related to storing or saving something, while pick up typically has a helpful and active tone, especially when referring to lifting or taking something.
