Pick up pounds, having additional merit (5)
I believe the answer is:
learn
'pick up' is the definition.
(I know that pick up can be written as learn)
'pounds having additional merit' is the wordplay.
'pounds' becomes 'l' (abbreviation e.g. Lsd - pounds, shillings, pence).
'having additional' says to put letters next to each other.
'merit' becomes 'earn' (I've seen this in another clue).
'l'+'earn'='LEARN'
(Other definitions for learn that I've seen before include "Discover - study" , "Take in" , "be taught a lesson" , "Gain knowledge or skills" , "teach illiterate" .)