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

Question

Answer

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.

Answer

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!"

Answer

"Pick up the phone" = answer the phone

Your friend is correct.

Answer

"Answer the phone" and "pick up the phone" are both correct.