Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

What exactly does "pick up" in "pick up convictions for cannabis possession" mean?

The core meaning is that the person was convicted for cannabis possession, right?

Is is a bit informal to use "pick up" with "convictions"? What other verbs can we use instead of "pick up"?

Thank you very much,

Nawee

[CP]

You'll have to quote the whole sentence before anyone -- or at least I -- can answer this question.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[nawee]

Here's the whole sentence:

"He picked up convictions for cannabis possession and two offences of robbery and attempted robbery on schoolboys aged 13 and 16."

Thank you,

Nawee

[CP]

To pick up can be used literally or figuratively. One can pick up a newspaper literally by lifting it from the table or figuratively by buying it at the news kiosk.

One can pick up a cold by shaking hands with someone infected, and one can pick up a new phrase by listening to native speakers.

In this sentence, the person picked up / received / earned criminal convictions for his various illegal activities.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb