QUICK ANSWER
"Pick up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "recoger", and "drop off" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "dejar". Learn more about the difference between "pick up" and "drop off" below.
pick up(
pihk
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to collect)
a. recoger
Can you pick up your suit from the dry cleaner?¿Puedes recoger tu traje de la tintorería?
I'll pick Mom up from the airport.Yo recojo a mamá del aeropuerto.
c. pasar a buscar
If you need a ride, I can pick you up.Si necesitas un aventón, puedo pasarte a buscar.
3. (to answer)
4. (to learn)
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
It was easy for her to pick up knitting.Le fue fácil agarrar el tejido.
5. (to arrest)
a. detener
The thief was hiding nearby until the police came and picked him up.El ladrón estaba escondiendo por aquí cerca hasta que vino la policía y lo detuvo.
b. agarrar
After a massive search, they finally picked up the criminals.Tras una búsqueda exhaustiva, finalmente agarraron a los criminales.
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
My computer doesn't pick up your Wi-Fi.Mi computadora no agarra tu red inalámbrica.
7. (to restart)
a. retomar
Can we pick up the conversation where we left off?¿Podemos retomar la conversación donde nos quedamos?
8. (illness)
a. pillar
You're more likely to pick up that disease in hot places.Es más probable que pilles la enfermedad en lugares calurosos.
10. (colloquial) (to seduce)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ligar con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
He picked up a girl at the bar last night.Ligó con una chica en el bar anoche.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
11. (to improve)
12. (to strengthen)
a. levantarse
The wind's picking up; it's going to be a rough crossing.El viento se levanta; la travesía será dura.
a. contestar
I tried ringing my aunt several times, but she didn't pick up.Traté varias veces de llamar a mi tía, pero no contestó.
14. (to continue)
a. continuar
I found it impossible to pick up where I was before the interruption; I was too upset.Me fue imposible continuar por donde iba antes de la interrupción; estaba muy alterado.
drop off(
drap
af
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. disminuir
The store was doing really well, and then sales started to drop off when the recession hit.Nos estaba yendo muy bien en la tienda, y luego las ventas empezaron a disminuir cuando llegó la crisis.
a. caerse
I heard a clank and something drop off, so I stopped the truck to check it out.Oí un sonido metálico y algo que se cayó, así que paré la camioneta para revisar.
4. (colloquial) (to fall asleep)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. dormirse
She dropped off around nine o'clock, but then woke up again at midnight with a start.Se durmió a eso de las nueve, pero volvió a levantarse sobresaltada a las doce.
b. quedarse dormido
I must have dropped off because I woke up, and all the money was gone.Me he de haber quedado dormido porque cuando me desperté, todo el dinero había desaparecido.
