説明中心

Phrasal verbs "brush up" vs "pick up"

Differences between brush up and pick up

Brush up means to improve or refresh one's knowledge or skills in a particular area, while pick up means to learn or acquire a new skill or knowledge.

Meanings and Definitions: brush up vs pick up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Brush up

  • 1Improve a skill quickly.

    She took a two - week course to BRUSH UP her Spanish before she went travelling around South and Central America.

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: brush up, pick up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

brush up

Example

I need to brush up on my French before our trip to Paris.

Example

She brushes up on her math skills before every exam.

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 Brush up

refresh one's memory

To review or remind oneself of something previously learned but not recently used or practiced.

Example

Before the exam, she spent some time refreshing her memory on the key concepts and formulas.

polish one's skills

To refine or enhance one's abilities or expertise in a particular area.

Example

He took a few workshops to polish his skills in public speaking and became more confident in delivering presentations.

revisit a topic

To return to a subject or topic that was previously studied or discussed.

Example

After a few years, she decided to revisit the topic of art history and enrolled in an online course.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pick up

acquire a new skill

To learn or develop a new ability or talent.

Example

During the pandemic, many people started to acquire new skills such as cooking, gardening, or coding.

grasp a concept

To understand or comprehend a specific idea or theory.

Example

After reading the book, he finally grasped the concept of quantum mechanics and its implications.

learn the ropes

To become familiar with the procedures, rules, or customs of a new job or environment.

Example

On his first day at the office, he spent some time learning the ropes and meeting his colleagues.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “brush”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: brush up or pick up?

Both brush up and pick up are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, pick up is more frequently used when referring to learning something new, while brush up is used when someone wants to improve their existing knowledge or skills.

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

Brush up and pick up are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual 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 brush up and pick up

The tone of brush up and pick up can differ based on context. Brush up often carries a positive and proactive tone when related to improving oneself, while pick up typically has a curious and enthusiastic tone, especially when referring to learning something new.

brush up & pick up: Synonyms and Antonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!