recolher

Senses

1. 1.

   to collect, to gather

   to pick up or bring together things or people

2. 2.

   to withdraw, to retreat

   to go back to one's home or a safe place

3. 3.

   to take in, to shelter

   to provide refuge or accommodation to someone

4. 4.

   to retract, to pull in

   to draw something back or inward (like landing gear)

Examples

• "Vou recolher as roupas do varal antes que chova."

  I'm going to collect the clothes from the clothesline before it rains.

• "O abrigo recolhe animais abandonados das ruas."

  The shelter takes in abandoned animals from the streets.

• "Ela se recolheu ao quarto depois do jantar."

  She withdrew to her room after dinner.

Usage

Common verb with multiple meanings depending on context. Often reflexive (recolher-se) when meaning "to retreat/withdraw to one's room or home." Frequently used with: recolher lixo (collect trash), recolher assinaturas (gather signatures), recolher impostos (collect taxes). Don't confuse with "colher" (to harvest/pick).