pick up trash

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up trash" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the action of collecting litter or garbage from the ground or from other surfaces. For example, "As part of the school's Green Week, the students organized a pickup of trash off the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We pick up trash.

HuffPost

Pick up trash around your community.

WikiHow

Pick up trash while walking in your neighborhoods.

WikiHow

Pick up trash, pennies, etc. with your hands or use a broom.

WikiHow

Pick up trash on the highway.

The New York Times

Regular people put on latex gloves to pick up trash.

Princeton University

* Use skimmer boats to pick up trash in the water.

The New York Times

Have them pick up trash in the parks," Mr Buckley countered.

The Economist

They aren't just public-service condominiums that pick up trash and direct traffic.

The New Yorker

He said the council was running hospitals and sending volunteers to pick up trash.

The New York Times

Bette Midler and the National Guard have sent volunteers to pick up trash along its banks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When organizing community clean-up events, use the phrase "pick up trash" in your communications as it's easily understood by everyone.

Common error

While synonyms like "remove debris" or "dispose of waste" exist, avoid using them interchangeably with "pick up trash" in informal settings. The latter is more direct and universally understood in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up trash" functions as a phrasal verb, where "pick up" is the verb and "trash" is the object. It describes the action of lifting and collecting discarded waste. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick up trash" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of collecting garbage. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, media, and informal communications. While more formal alternatives exist, "pick up trash" remains a clear and universally understood way to promote cleanliness and environmental responsibility. As demonstrated through the diverse examples, this phrase is a practical tool for everyday communication and community initiatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean up garbage

Emphasizes the act of cleaning by focusing on the waste material.

collect litter

Replaces "pick up" with "collect" and "trash" with "litter", focusing on gathering scattered waste.

dispose of waste

Focuses on the proper disposal of unwanted materials.

gather rubbish

Uses "gather" instead of "pick up" and the British English term "rubbish" for trash.

remove debris

Uses more formal terms for "pick up" and "trash", suitable for professional contexts.

tidy up refuse

Combines the idea of cleaning with the material being cleaned.

clear away refuse

A more formal and emphatic way to describe waste removal.

sweep up litter

Implies using a broom or similar tool to gather loose waste.

extract waste

More technical and forceful alternative, suitable when needing to extract waste material.

glean trash

Uses the word "glean", which means to gather or collect (something) gradually or laboriously. This implies carefully picking up trash.

FAQs

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

You can use "pick up trash" to describe the act of collecting and removing garbage. For example, "We need to "pick up trash" in the park to keep it clean."

What are some alternative phrases for "pick up trash"?

Alternatives include "collect litter", "remove debris", or "clean up garbage", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "pick up trash" or "dispose of waste"?

"Pick up trash" is generally used in informal contexts, while "dispose of waste" is more formal. Use "dispose of waste" in professional documents or official communications.

What does "plogging" mean in relation to "pick up trash"?

"Plogging" is a fitness trend that combines jogging with "picking up trash", promoting both personal health and environmental cleanliness.