Grab vs. Pickup — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
Grab vs. Pickup: Grab often implies a quick, sudden action to seize something, while Pickup suggests a more deliberate action to lift or collect something.
Difference Between Grab and Pickup
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In casual conversation, "grab" can sometimes be used to add a sense of casualness or spontaneity. "Pickup," however, leans more toward formality and planning. For instance, you might "grab a quick bite" but "pick up an order" from a restaurant.
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Sep 14, 2023
The term "Grab" usually signifies a swift, often abrupt action of seizing or snatching something. It is a word that emphasizes speed and maybe even a sense of urgency. "Pickup," on the other hand, is generally used to indicate a more measured and deliberate action to lift or collect something.
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Sep 14, 2023
When someone says they will "grab a coffee," it implies a quick and perhaps impulsive action. If someone says they will "pick up a coffee," the connotation is somewhat different; it suggests that the person may take a bit more time and care in the process.
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Sep 14, 2023
In computer interfaces, the term "grab" is often used to denote the rapid selection of an item, such as a file or folder, often by clicking and dragging. "Pickup" is less commonly used in this context, but if it were, it would likely imply a more intentional action, perhaps involving multiple steps.
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From a grammatical perspective, "grab" is often used as a verb, but it can also serve as a noun (e.g., "make a grab for it"). "Pickup" is versatile as well; it can function as a noun (e.g., "make a pickup") or as a compound verb ("pick up").
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Comparison Chart
Speed
Implies quickness and sudden action
Suggests a deliberate, paced action
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Noun Form
Can serve as a noun
Can serve as a noun or a compound noun (e.g., pickup truck)
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Context
Widely used in various contexts, including casual conversation and technology
Common in specific scenarios like logistics, transportation, or pre-planned activities
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Definitions
Pickup➦
To lift or collect something deliberately.
I'll pick up the dry cleaning.
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Pickup➦
The act or process of picking up
The pickup and delivery of farm produce.
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Grab➦
To obtain or appropriate unscrupulously or forcibly
Grab public funds.
Grab power.
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Pickup➦
(Sports) The act of striking or fielding a ball after it has touched the ground
A good pickup and throw from third base.
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Pickup➦
(Informal) An improvement in condition or activity
A pickup in sales.
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Grab➦
A sudden attempt to grasp or hold something
Made a grab for the railing.
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Pickup➦
Passengers or freight
Taxi drivers expect good tips from airport pickups.
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Grab➦
A sudden, often unscrupulous taking control or ownership of something
"The imminence of death is reflected in every last power-stroke and grab of the great money bosses" (Dylan Thomas).
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Pickup➦
(Slang) A stranger with whom casual acquaintance is made, usually in anticipation of sexual relations.
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Grab➦
A usually two-masted, sharp-prowed coastal vessel of the Indian Ocean.
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Grab➦
Relating or being an object or device that is grabbed or gripped for support or balance
Installed a grab bar in the shower.
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Grab➦
(transitive) To grip suddenly; to seize; to clutch.
I grabbed her hand to pull her back from the cliff edge.
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Grab➦
(intransitive) To make a sudden grasping or clutching motion (at something).
The suspect suddenly broke free and grabbed at the policeman's gun.
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Pickup➦
The rotary rake on a piece of machinery, such as a harvester, that picks up windrowed hay or straw.
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Grab➦
(transitive) To grip the attention of; to enthrall or interest.
How does that idea grab you?
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Pickup➦
A transducer that converts vibrations, as of a phonograph needle or guitar string, into electrical impulses for subsequent conversion into sound.
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Grab➦
(informal) To consume something quickly.
We'll just grab a sandwich and then we'll be on our way.
Is there time to grab a coffee?
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Pickup➦
The reception of light or sound waves for conversion to electrical impulses.
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Pickup➦
The apparatus for transmitting a broadcast from an outside place to the broadcasting station.
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Pickup➦
Being, relating to, or involving a group of people assembled informally for a temporary purpose
A pickup orchestra.
A pickup baseball game.
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Grab➦
A device for withdrawing drills, etc., from artesian and other wells that are drilled, bored, or driven.
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Pickup➦
An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
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Pickup➦
In a record player, an electromagnetic component that converts the needle vibrations into an electrical signal.
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Pickup➦
Impromptu or ad hoc, especially of sports games and teams made up of randomly selected players.
Rather than join a basketball league, James decided to play pickup.
At lunch we had a game of pickup hockey.
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Pickup➦
An instance of approaching someone and engaging in romantic flirtation and courting with the intent to pursue romance, a date, or a sexual encounter.
Hey, thanks for the drink, but if this is a pickup, I'm not interested.
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Pickup➦
A person successfully approached in this manner for romance or sex.
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Grab➦
An instrument for clutching objects for the purpose of raising them; - specially applied to devices for withdrawing drills, etc., from artesian and other wells that are drilled, bored, or driven.
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Pickup➦
(sports) In various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
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Pickup➦
(video games) An item that can be picked up by the player, conferring some benefit or effect; a power-up.
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Pickup➦
The act of a challenging party or candidate winning an electoral district held by an incumbent party or candidate.
The returns from the election show Apple Party candidate Jane Doe has made a pickup in the district of City West defeating Orange Party Incumbent Joe Smith
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Grab➦
The act of catching an object with the hands;
Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
He made a grab for the ball before it landed
Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
The infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
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Grab➦
Take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of;
Catch the ball!
Grab the elevator door!
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Pickup➦
(film) A relatively minor shot filmed or recorded after the fact to augment previous footage.
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Grab➦
Get hold of or seize quickly and easily;
I snapped up all the good buys during the garage sale
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Pickup➦
The act of collecting and taking away something or someone, usually in a vehicle.
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Grab➦
Make a grasping or snatching motion with the hand;
The passenger grabbed for the oxygen mask
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Pickup➦
(uncountable) A time during which passengers, such as school children, are picked up.
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Grab➦
Take or grasp suddenly;
She grabbed the child's hand and ran out of the room
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Pickup➦
(uncountable) The condition of being picked up, or taken up; adoption by some entity.
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Grab➦
Capture the attention or imagination of;
This story will grab you
The movie seized my imagination
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Pickup➦
Act of picking up, as, in various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
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Grab➦
To seize or snatch suddenly.
He grabbed the last cookie from the plate.
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Grab➦
To quickly take possession of an opportunity.
She grabbed the chance to speak at the conference.
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Pickup➦
One that is picked up, as a meal hastily got up for the occasion, a chance acquaintance, an informal game, etc.
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Pickup➦
A social companion for the evening who is met without prior arrangement, as at a singles bar; also, the act of joining with such a companion in that fashion.
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Pickup➦
A component of a phonograph which contains the stylus and also components for converting the vibrations of the stylus into electrical impulses for subsequent processing into sound; often referred to as a cartridge; also, the process of converting vibrations into electrical impulses.
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Pickup➦
The conversion of sound or light into electrical signals in a sound or image recording or transmitting device.
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Pickup➦
A small truck having an enclosed driver's compartment (cab) but an open rear with usually low sides and a tailgate. Also called pickup truck.
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Pickup➦
A warrant to take someone into custody;
Put out a pickup on that man
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Pickup➦
Anything with restorative powers;
She needed the pickup that coffee always gave her
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Pickup➦
The attribute of being capable of rapid acceleration;
His car has a lot of pickup
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Pickup➦
Mechanical device consisting of a light balanced arm that carries the cartridge
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Pickup➦
An electro-acoustic transducer that is the part of the arm of a record player that holds the needle and that is removable
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Pickup➦
The act or process of picking up or collecting from various places;
Garbage pickup is on Mondays and Thursdays
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Pickup➦
To receive a signal, like a radio.
The radio picked up a distress call.
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Pickup➦
To provide someone with transportation.
Can you pick me up from the airport?
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FAQs
Is "pickup" used in the same way as "grab"?
No, pickup usually suggests a more deliberate action to lift or collect something.
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Sep 14, 2023
Is "pickup" only used as a verb?
No, "pickup" can be a noun or a compound noun, like "pickup truck."
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Is "grab" commonly used in technology?
Yes, "grab" is often used in technology to denote rapid selection of items.
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What scenarios commonly use "pickup"?
"Pickup" is common in logistics, transportation, and pre-planned activities.
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Does "pickup" have other meanings besides lifting or collecting?
Yes, it can also mean acquiring skills, receiving a signal, or providing transportation.
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Which word is more formal, "grab" or "pickup"?
"Pickup" is generally more formal than "grab."
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Does "pickup" imply multiple steps?
It can, as "pickup" usually suggests a more deliberate, paced action.
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What does "grab" commonly imply?
Grab often implies quick, sudden action to seize something.
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Sep 14, 2023
How are "grab" and "pickup" different?
"Grab" implies quickness and spontaneity, while "pickup" implies deliberateness and planning.
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Sep 14, 2023
Is "grab" used in casual conversation?
Yes, "grab" is often used to add a sense of casualness or spontaneity.
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Sep 14, 2023
Can "grab" imply impulsive action?
Yes, "grab" can imply a sense of impulsiveness or urgency.
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Sep 14, 2023
Is "grab" a synonym for "snatch"?
Yes, "grab" can be a synonym for "snatch," emphasizing quickness.
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Sep 14, 2023
How are "grab" and "pickup" similar?
Both can refer to the action of acquiring or taking possession of something.
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Can "pickup" be used in the context of education?
Yes, "pickup" can refer to the acquisition of knowledge or skills.
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Sep 14, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform.
Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
