pick out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Choose something from a group
Why “out”? Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
“Maya picked out a chocolate biscuit from the cafe counter display.”
“Leo picked out a birthday card from the shop display.”
“Leo picked out fresh fruit at the market after work.”
“While getting ready for the club, Maya helped Leo pick out a shirt.”
“Maya picked out a raincoat for the weekend train trip.”
Don't confuse with
Pick out means choose something from a group. Pick up means lift something off a surface.
Test yourself
“Maya picked out a chocolate biscuit from the cafe counter display.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
pick up
A contrast learners often mix up
Lift something off a surface; Collect a person or thing, especially in a vehicle; Acquire a skill, language or habit gradually and informally; Improve or get better, of business, weather, health or mood; Detect a faint signal, smell or piece of information
bear out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Provide evidence that confirms what someone has said
break out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
(of war, fire or disease) Start suddenly; Escape from a locked or guarded place
bring out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Make a quality or feature more obvious; Publish or launch a new product; Cause a particular response or behaviour in someone; Take something out of a container or place to show it; Encourage a shy person to be more confident
call out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Shout something loudly or summon services
check out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
come out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Be revealed publicly
dig out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Find something by searching through other things
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