A group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately.
Phrasal Verb:
pick something up
Meaning / Example:
1. to lift up or raise something from a lower place. > Please help me pick this stuff up off the pavement.
2. to tidy up or clean up a room or some other place. > Let's pick this room up in a hurry. > I want you to pick up the entire house.
3. to find, purchase, or acquire something. > Where did you pick that up? > I picked up this tool at the hardware store.
4. to learn something. > I picked up a lot of knowledge about music from my brother.
5. to cause something to go faster, especially music. > All right, let's pick up the tempo and get it moving faster. > Okay, get moving. Pick it up!
6. to resume something. > I'll have to pick up my work where I left off.
7. to receive radio signals; to bring something into view. > I can just pick it up with a powerful telescope. > I can hardly pick up a signal. 8. to find a trail or route.
Phrasal verbs are multi-word verbs that, like single-word verbs, convey action of the body or mind or occurrences. Phrasal verbs consist of a basic verb + another word or words, usually a preposition or adverb. Example: speak (basic verb) + up (preposition)