to answer the telephone
Hi everyone,
I have a question : my British friend said to me "pick up phone"
the meaning is "answer the phone"
So I think that "pick up" is no right in this context, maybe I can say : get the phone please.
I always heard "to pick up" for people, I pick up you in airport for example.
Does anyone explain me better please?
Thank you
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Answers · 5
1
Hello Evelyn, answer the phone is correct, however people do say ''pick up the phone'' Example, the phone is ringing, I would say to my wife, can you answer the phone, can you get the phone, can you pick up the phone, can you pick the phone up. (the first 2 are more common)
Can you pick me up from the airport. = to collect me from the airport.
1
This phrase "pick up the phone" has relevance in the present age of answering machines. These machines can filter a person's incoming calls; unwanted callers are allowed to leave voice messages. Someone who knows a person is filtering calls in this way might say, "Pick up the phone!"
1
"Pick up the phone" = answer the phone
Your friend is correct.
1
"Answer the phone" and "pick up the phone" are both correct.
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