pick up on
ينتبه لـ
Wörtlich: To take/lift up on something
Use it when you notice a subtle signal, feeling, or detail that wasn't explicitly stated.
In 15 Sekunden
- Noticing subtle hints or hidden patterns others might miss.
- Using intuition to understand a mood or a vibe.
- Identifying a small mistake or a specific trend quickly.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes the moment you notice a small detail, a subtle hint, or a pattern that others might miss. It is like having a 'social radar' that catches quiet signals or hidden meanings in a conversation.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Noticing a friend's mood
I picked up on her sadness even though she was laughing.
I noticed her sadness even though she was laughing.
In a business meeting
Did you pick up on the CEO's hesitation when we mentioned the budget?
Did you notice the CEO's hesitation regarding the budget?
Texting about a crush
I think he's picking up on my hints that I like him!
I think he is noticing my hints!
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression reflects the high value placed on 'Emotional Intelligence' (EQ) in Western social and professional circles. It suggests a level of sophistication where one can read between the lines rather than just taking words at face value. It gained significant traction in the mid-20th century as psychological awareness became part of everyday conversation.
The 'Vibe' Rule
If you are talking about 'vibes' or 'energy,' this is the perfect phrase to use. It makes you sound very natural.
Don't Split It
Unlike 'pick it up,' you shouldn't put the object in the middle. Say 'pick up on the hint,' not 'pick the hint up on.'
In 15 Sekunden
- Noticing subtle hints or hidden patterns others might miss.
- Using intuition to understand a mood or a vibe.
- Identifying a small mistake or a specific trend quickly.
What It Means
Pick up on is all about your intuition and observation skills. It is that 'Aha!' moment when you notice someone is upset even if they are smiling. It is not about seeing the big, obvious things. It is about catching the small vibes, the subtext, or the trends. Think of it like a radio antenna catching a faint signal from far away.
How To Use It
You usually follow the phrase with a noun or a gerund. You can pick up on a vibe, a hint, a mistake, or a trend. It is a phrasal verb, so it stays together. You do not usually put words between pick and up. If your friend is acting weird, you pick up on their mood. If a teacher makes a typo, you might pick up on the error. It is very versatile!
When To Use It
Use it when you want to show you are being attentive. It is great for social situations where feelings are involved. Use it at work when discussing market trends or subtle changes in a project. It is perfect for those 'I see what you did there' moments. You can also use it when learning something new and finally understanding a pattern.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for things that are screaming for attention. If a building is on fire, you do not pick up on the flames; you just see them! It is also not for physical objects you literally lift. If you find a coin on the ground, you pick it up, you do not pick up on it. Avoid using it for deep, formal scientific discoveries unless it is about noticing a small data trend.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, being 'perceptive' is a highly valued social trait. We love people who can 'read the room.' This phrase became popular because it describes that specific emotional intelligence. It suggests you are sensitive to others. It implies you are a good listener who pays attention to the 'unspoken' rules of a group.
Common Variations
You might hear people say catch on or notice. However, pick up on feels more like you are a detective finding a clue. Sometimes people say pick up what I'm laying down. That is a much more slang way of saying 'Do you understand the hint I am giving you?' Stick to pick up on for a natural, smart sound.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is best used when discussing perceptions, feelings, or small details in a conversational way.
The 'Vibe' Rule
If you are talking about 'vibes' or 'energy,' this is the perfect phrase to use. It makes you sound very natural.
Don't Split It
Unlike 'pick it up,' you shouldn't put the object in the middle. Say 'pick up on the hint,' not 'pick the hint up on.'
Reading the Room
In the US and UK, 'picking up on' social cues is considered a sign of high intelligence. Use it to compliment someone's observation skills!
Beispiele
6I picked up on her sadness even though she was laughing.
I noticed her sadness even though she was laughing.
Used here to show emotional intuition.
Did you pick up on the CEO's hesitation when we mentioned the budget?
Did you notice the CEO's hesitation regarding the budget?
Used to discuss professional body language.
I think he's picking up on my hints that I like him!
I think he is noticing my hints!
Casual use regarding romantic subtext.
My dog definitely picks up on the word 'bath' even when I whisper it.
My dog notices the word 'bath' even when I whisper.
Humorous take on a pet's selective hearing.
Thanks for picking up on that typo before we sent the email.
Thanks for noticing that typo.
Focuses on catching a small detail/error.
Fast fashion brands quickly pick up on new styles from the runway.
Brands quickly adopt new styles they notice.
Refers to noticing and following a trend.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about social awareness.
She is very sharp; she can easily ___ subtle changes in the atmosphere.
The phrase 'pick up on' is used for noticing subtle changes or vibes.
Which word fits best in a professional context?
Did anyone else ___ the tension between the two managers?
We use 'pick up on' to describe noticing an unspoken feeling like tension.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of 'Pick up on'
Used with friends about vibes.
I picked up on his weird mood.
Standard everyday use.
Did you pick up on that hint?
Used in meetings for observations.
We need to pick up on market shifts.
When to use 'Pick up on'
Social Vibes
Noticing someone is bored.
Error Detection
Finding a small math error.
Hidden Meanings
Understanding sarcasm.
Trends
Noticing a new tech craze.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. It means you noticed something subtle that led to understanding, like picking up on a hint.
No, for physical things you just say pick up. You pick up a pen, but you pick up on a secret.
It is slightly informal for a scientific paper, but perfectly fine for a business email or meeting.
Notice is general, while pick up on implies the thing was hidden or hard to see.
Usually, you pick up on a *quality* of a person, like I picked up on his nervousness, rather than the person himself.
Yes, it is used frequently in both American and British English.
Yes! You can pick up on grammar patterns or slang just by listening to native speakers.
No, it is neutral. However, you can pick up on negative things, like a bad attitude.
The past tense is picked up on.
Yes, if the sound is faint or meaningful, like picking up on a change in the engine's noise.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Catch on
To gradually understand something.
Read between the lines
To find the hidden meaning in something said or written.
Sense
To feel or perceive something without being told.
Spot
To see or notice something, usually something small.
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