coger
In Spain: totally normal — grab, take, catch. In most of Latin America: an obscenity. The single most regionally dangerous verb in Spanish.
coger (Spain)
Standard, everyday verb — grab, take, catch, pick up. Used constantly in Spain without any issue.
Coge el autobús, es más rápido.
Take the bus, it's quicker.
Completely normal in Spain. In Mexico or Argentina, say 'toma el autobús' instead.
Coge una silla.
Grab a chair.
Physical grabbing or taking an object. Everyday Spanish in Spain.
He cogido un resfriado.
I've caught a cold.
Coger an illness = to catch it. Use 'agarrar un resfriado' in Latin America.
coger (Latin America)
Has an explicit sexual meaning across most of Latin America — use tomar, agarrar, or tomar instead.
Agarra el libro que está en la mesa.
Grab the book on the table.
Agarrar = grab/take — safe everywhere. The replacement verb for coger in Latin America.
Toma el primer desvío a la derecha.
Take the first turn on the right.
Tomar for directions and transport — the universal safe option.
¿Puedes recoger esto del suelo?
Can you pick this up off the floor?
Recoger = to pick up, collect. Another safe alternative for the physical 'take/grab' meaning.
Tricky bit
A Spanish person who moves to Mexico will get very funny looks the first week. The fix is simple: use 'agarrar' for grab, 'tomar' for take/catch, 'recoger' for pick up — and you're safe everywhere. 'Coger' is only truly safe in Spain and a few other places.