What are the definitions of “pick up after”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Tidy a mess someone else has made.
I always have to PICK UP AFTER him because he leaves things all over the office.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pick up after”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pick up after is to clean or tidy up a mess that someone else has made. It often refers to putting things back in their proper place after someone has used them and left them scattered around.
What are the different verb forms of “pick up after”?
| Root Verb | pick up after |
| Third Person Singular Present | picks up after |
| Present Participle | picking up after |
| Simple Past | picked up after |
| Past Participle | picked up after |
Example
I always pick up after my kids when they leave their toys on the floor.
Example
She picks up after her roommate who never cleans up his dishes.
Example
He is picking up after the party guests who left trash everywhere.
Example
Yesterday, they picked up after their dog who made a mess in the park.
Example
The mess in the living room was picked up after the children went to bed.
What kind of phrasal verb is “pick up after”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“pick up after” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She picked up after her children.
Example
He picked up after the party guests.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“pick up after” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She picked up after her children.
Example
He picked up after the party guests.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “pick up after”?
Good things to know
Does “pick up after” have an informal or formal tone?
Pick up after is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. It may also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context. However, in most cases, pick up after is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
