picked it up from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked it up from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to acquiring knowledge, skills, or information from a particular source or person. Example: "I picked it up from my grandmother, who taught me how to cook traditional recipes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not like the black and gold cover of The Secret History, or its weight when I picked it up from my bedside table.

Independent

He either overheard his girlfriend's work conversations, viewed her confidential documents or otherwise picked it up from her, the S.E.C. posited in its complaint.

The New York Times

"They've picked it up from everybody".

The Economist

"I picked it up from the musicians.

The New Yorker

That's where I picked it up from".

The Guardian - Film

She could have picked it up from someone else.

The New Yorker

You just picked it up from other musicians".

The New York Times - Arts

"Here, they picked it up from the islands.

The New York Times

(He'd picked it up from the British journalist Henry Fairlie).

The New Yorker

Unless he picked it up from a Mel Brooks movie.

The New York Times - Books

I picked it up from where I had dropped it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "picked it up from", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the acquired knowledge, skill, or object. For example, "I picked up my French accent from living in Paris."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating the source. Instead of saying "I picked it up from there", specify "I picked it up from the library" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picked it up from" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as a verb complement. It indicates the source from which someone acquired something, be it information, a skill, or a physical object. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "picked it up from" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the source of something acquired, whether it be knowledge, a skill, or an object. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While the register is generally neutral, it can be adapted for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "learned it from", "acquired it from", and "obtained it from", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learned it from

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or skills rather than physical objects.

acquired it from

Emphasizes the process of gaining or obtaining something.

obtained it from

Similar to acquired, but can also imply a more formal or deliberate process.

got it from

A more informal and general way to express receiving something from a source.

took it from

Implies a removal from the source, potentially without permission.

derived it from

Suggests that something originated or stemmed from a specific source.

received it from

Highlights the act of being given something by someone.

adopted it from

Specifically implies taking on an idea, practice, or custom from another source.

gathered it from

Suggests collecting information or insights from various sources.

gleaned it from

Implies discovering information bit by bit from various sources.

FAQs

How can I use "picked it up from" in a sentence?

You can use "picked it up from" to indicate where you acquired something, whether it's a skill, a phrase, or an object. For example: "I "picked it up from" a colleague", or "She "picked it up from" the library".

What can I say instead of "picked it up from"?

You can use alternatives like "learned it from", "acquired it from", or "obtained it from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I picked it up from someone"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "I "picked it up from" someone" is a common and acceptable way to indicate that you learned or acquired something from an unspecified person.

What is the difference between "picked it up from" and "learned it from"?

While both phrases indicate acquisition, ""picked it up from"" can refer to both tangible and intangible things, whereas "learned it from" primarily refers to skills or knowledge.