‘叼起’ is a compound verb meaning 'to pick up with the mouth' — typically by an animal using its teeth or beak. The first character 叼 (diāo) means 'to hold in the mouth', often implying a gentle but firm grip, while 起 (qǐ) adds the sense of upward motion or completion — literally 'to lift up'. Together, they emphasize the action of grasping something and raising it off the ground or surface.

This verb is most commonly used to describe dogs, birds, cats, or other animals retrieving objects: a dog picking up a stick, a mother bird carrying food or a chick, or a cat bringing a mouse to its owner. It carries a neutral-to-observational tone and is rarely used for humans unless in vivid, metaphorical, or humorous contexts (e.g., a child pretending to be a puppy). It’s not used for eating — only for lifting or carrying with the mouth.