Below you will find one of the uses of the phrasal verb 'pick out' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition, you will also find two examples of it being used with this meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember this use, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use 1

To identify or recognise a specific person or thing (e.g. a painting) when they are in a group.

You say that you are an expert on wine, so I’m going test you to see if you are. I want to try these five different wines and I want you to PICK OUT which one of the five is French.

"Here's a photo of my family on holiday when I was young. Can you PICK me OUT?"
"Is that you next to the tree?"
"No, I'm the one on the bike."

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.