pick up shift

USAGE SUMMARY

"pick up shift" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take on or cover someone else's shift or work hours. Example: "I need someone to pick up my shift at the restaurant tomorrow night. Can anyone cover for me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The London-based company offers a platform targeting millennials who want to pick up shift work in the hospitality and retail sectors.

TechCrunch

NBC affiliates have long been airing repeats of network and syndicated programs in late-night hours to pick up shift workers, insomniacs, nursing mothers or anyone else available during that time.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

On weekends, he picks up shifts as a park ranger.

The Guardian - Tech

Increasingly, he said, he has to beg his 15-year-old brother to pick up shifts.

The New York Times - Tech

Last year it introduced Amazon Flex, which allows independent drivers to pick up shifts delivering packages around town.

The Washington Post

Collins continued to pick up shifts at the company until 2012, when he decided a part-time job at Walmart would offer more stability.

The Washington Post

Foul-mouthed 15-year-old Sarah Taylor Liv Hilll) is her family's sole provider, skipping school to pick up shifts as a cleaner at the local arcade and soliciting handjobs by the bins for extra cash while her depressed mother (a believably manic Sinead Matthews) remains bedridden and unfit for work.

The Guardian - Film

Shiftgig — a startup that has built a mobile platform for hourly workers to pick up shifts at local businesses looking for staff to fill gaps in their schedules (Shiftgig= target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shift_work">shift work+gig economy) — is today announcing that it has raised $20 million to scale up its marketplace.

TechCrunch

Shiftgig — a startup that has built a mobile platform for hourly workers to pick up shifts at local businesses looking for staff to fill gaps in their schedules (Shiftgig= target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shift_work">shift work+gig economy) — is today announcing that it has raised $20 million to scale up its marketplace.

TechCrunch

Those who want to pick up shifts can select either 2, 4 or 8-hour blocks of time that day, or can set their availability up to 12 hours per day for the future, a FAQ on the Amazon Flex website explains.

TechCrunch

I will pick up shifts where I can on that ward.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick up shift", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is taking on an additional or available work period.

Common error

Avoid using "pick up shift" when referring to a machine. This phrase should only apply to people taking on extra work. For example, avoid saying: 'The robot will pick up the shift'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pick up shift" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes the action of acquiring or taking on an additional work period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick up shift" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the act of taking on an additional or available work period. It is frequently found in news, media, and wiki sources. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is widely accepted and understood in English. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates someone is assuming responsibility for extra work. Common alternatives include "cover a shift" and "take on a shift". This review ensures correct and effective use of the phrase in different settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover a shift

Focuses on covering an existing shift rather than necessarily acquiring an additional one.

take on a shift

Implies accepting responsibility for a specific work period.

work an extra shift

Emphasizes working beyond the regular schedule.

volunteer for a shift

Highlights the voluntary nature of taking on the shift.

fill in for a shift

Stresses the temporary replacement of another worker.

substitute for a shift

Similar to 'fill in', but can suggest a more formal replacement.

grab a shift

More informal and suggests quickly securing a shift.

claim a shift

Implies actively taking a shift that is available.

accept a shift

Focuses on the acceptance of an offered shift.

add a shift to one's schedule

More formal and explicit about the schedule change.

FAQs

How can I use "pick up shift" in a sentence?

You can say, "I'm going to "pick up a shift" this weekend to earn extra money" or "Can you "pick up my shift" tomorrow?"

What does "pick up shift" mean in the context of work?

It means to take on an additional or available work period, often to cover for someone else or to gain extra hours.

What is a more formal way to say "pick up shift"?

A more formal alternative could be "take on a shift" or "cover a shift", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "pick up shifts" or "pick up a shift"?

Both are correct. "Pick up shifts" refers to multiple instances, while "pick up a shift" refers to a single instance.