collocation · informal
pick up a musical instrument
/pɪk ʌp ə ˈmjuːzɪkəl ˈɪnstrəmənt/pick UP a MU·si·cal IN·stru·ment
to begin learning or trying to play a musical instrument
Examples
“During lockdown many people picked up a musical instrument to pass the time.”
“She picked up a musical instrument at university and now plays in a band.”
“It's never too late to pick up a musical instrument if you enjoy music.”
Band 8 sentence
“Having never been musically inclined, she nevertheless picked up a musical instrument during the gap year and improved rapidly.”
Collocations
- pick up a musical instrument as an adult
- pick up a musical instrument for fun
- quickly pick up a musical instrument
Word family
Common mistakes
pick up musical instrument→pick up a musical instrument
pick up instrument→pick up a musical instrument
Say it for a higher band
5learn an instrument→6learn to play an instrument→7+pick up a musical instrument
Synonyms
learn to play an instrument
take up an instrument
Easily confused
take up an instrument
“During the summer I decided to take up an instrument and began weekly lessons.”
Related words
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In Free time & Hobbies
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