picked me up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picked me up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone giving you a lift, either physically or emotionally, often in a supportive context. Example: "After a tough week, my friend really picked me up with her kind words and encouragement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ilasaca picked me up in the plaza.

The New Yorker

"Obviously, the offense picked me up".

The New York Times - Sports

"Obviously, he picked me up".

The New York Times - Sports

"They picked me up from my shop.

The Guardian

They picked me up off waivers.

The New York Times - Sports

They picked me up with three helicopters.

The New York Times

He came and picked me up from the station.

Yale University

My sister picked me up at the station.

The New York Times

He picked me up in his Rolls-Royce.

The New York Times

Walid and his cousin picked me up in a taxi.

The New Yorker

I remember Dad picked me up at work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey. "Picked me up" is generally informal and friendly. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "collected me" or "retrieved me".

Common error

Be clear whether you are referring to physical transportation or emotional support. If the context doesn't make it obvious, add clarifying details. For example, instead of just saying "He picked me up", specify "He picked me up from the airport" or "He picked me up when I was feeling down".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "picked me up" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed upon the speaker. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage, encompassing both literal (transportation) and figurative (emotional support) meanings, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "picked me up" is a versatile and frequently used expression with dual meanings. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly and commonly conveys either providing transportation or offering emotional support. Its usage spans across various contexts, from informal conversations to news reports, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. While generally informal, the register remains neutral, and understanding the context is key to accurately interpreting its intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave me a ride

Focuses specifically on the act of providing transportation.

lifted my spirits

Specifically refers to improving someone's mood or emotional state.

came to get me

Emphasizes the act of someone arriving to retrieve another person.

collected me

Similar to 'came to get me', but can sound slightly more formal.

provided me support

Highlights the supportive aspect of helping someone overcome difficulties.

gave me a boost

Implies giving encouragement or help to improve someone's confidence or mood.

cheered me up

Directly indicates making someone happier or less sad.

transported me

A more formal way to describe providing transportation.

retrieved me

Suggests a formal or official action of picking someone up.

rescued me

Indicates saving someone from a difficult or unpleasant situation.

FAQs

What does "picked me up" mean?

The phrase "picked me up" can have two primary meanings. It can refer to someone providing transportation, such as giving you a ride in a car. Alternatively, it can mean that someone offered you emotional support or encouragement.

What can I say instead of "picked me up" when referring to transportation?

If you mean someone gave you a ride, you can use alternatives like "gave me a ride", "came to get me", or "collected me".

How can I use "picked me up" to describe emotional support?

When referring to emotional support, you can say "lifted my spirits", "cheered me up", or "gave me a boost" instead of "picked me up".

Is "picked me up" formal or informal?

The phrase "picked me up" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "transported me" when referring to transportation or "provided me support" when describing emotional assistance.