well picked up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well picked up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been understood or noticed effectively, often in the context of a conversation or observation. Example: "Her ability to grasp the nuances of the discussion was impressive; she really had a well picked up sense of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The chief of staff, who knew his boss very well, picked up the phone and called the president's valet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tauhid Zaman, an invited MIT lecturer shows you how to make money out of finding mean and standard deviation of well picked up correlating setups.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"From 20 to 35 overs we did that really well, picked up the odd wicket and never really allowed them to get that momentum going to get a big score.

The Guardian - Sport

"The last few games of the season we played really well, picked up good points and it carried us right through the play-offs.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And if private investors fret, central banks may well pick up the slack.

The Economist

In the May elections he may well pick up a lot of support again.

The Economist

The European commission should do the only thing it does well: pick up the bill.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We couldn't very well pick up our buildings and move them across the George Washington Bridge".

The New York Times

"When I started doing well, picking up clients, my dad gave me horses," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The campaign against Citizens United may well pick up steam as more people begin to feel the power.

The New York Times

Corporations based here are drawn by access to the European market; some of them may well pick up and go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well picked up" when you want to emphasize that something was not only understood but also possibly acquired or recovered effectively. Consider the nuance of acquisition when choosing this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "well picked up" as a simple substitute for "understood" if the context doesn't involve any sense of acquisition or recovery. Stick to "understood" when simple comprehension is what you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well picked up" functions as a compound verb phrase, where "well" modifies the action of "picked up". Ludwig AI shows that this phrase describes effective understanding, acquisition, or recovery of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well picked up" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the effective understanding, acquisition, or recovery of something. According to Ludwig AI, while applicable in various contexts, it's most frequently found in News & Media and academic settings. When using "well picked up", ensure the context aligns with the nuance of effective acquisition or retrieval, rather than mere comprehension. Alternatives like "effectively understood" or "quickly grasped" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. The phrase has a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effectively understood

Replaces the verb phrase with a passive construction emphasizing understanding.

quickly grasped

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of understanding.

easily comprehended

Highlights the ease with which something was understood.

successfully acquired

Emphasizes the successful attainment of something, like a skill or information.

adeptly recovered

Suggests skillful retrieval or regaining of something lost or missed.

clearly recognized

Highlights the distinct and unambiguous acknowledgment of something.

readily assimilated

Indicates effortless integration of new information or ideas.

skillfully identified

Focuses on the expertise involved in pinpointing or recognizing something.

thoroughly learned

Emphasizes the depth and completeness of the learning process.

perceptively discerned

Highlights the insightful and keen understanding of something subtle.

FAQs

How can I use "well picked up" in a sentence?

You can use "well picked up" to describe a skill or understanding that has been effectively acquired, as in "She has a "well developed" sense of humor, having "well picked up" comedic timing from her father".

What's a good alternative to "well picked up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "effectively understood", "quickly grasped", or "easily comprehended", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "well picked up"?

Yes, "well picked up" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in contexts where something has been effectively understood or acquired, like a skill or piece of information.

Can "well picked up" refer to physical objects?

While less common, "well picked up" can sometimes refer to physical objects, especially in the context of recovering something that was lost or dropped. A more common phrasing in that case is to say it was "retrieved effectively".