pick on

British  

verb

1. (tr, preposition) to select (someone) for something unpleasant, esp in order to bully, blame, or cause to perform a distasteful task

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pick on Idioms  

1. Tease, bully, victimize, as in She told Mom the boys were always picking on her. [Second half of 1800s] This expression is sometimes put as pick on someone your own size, meaning “don't badger someone who is younger, smaller, or weaker than yourself but do so only to an equal.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pick on

Hong Leong maintains an overweight rating on Malaysian oil and gas sector, pegging Dialog as its top pick on its stronger earnings visibility.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

Last year, the Chargers used the identical 22nd pick on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who showed flashes of promise as a rookie but also slogged through an injury-plagued season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

But the point of such suits seems to be less to pick on each company/influencer one by one and more to make undisclosed partnerships a business risk and potential liability writ large.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026

“A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said after using a first-round pick on USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in April.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

“I mean why did you become quiet just because of the people who pick on you?”

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Related Words

• badger
• bully
• get at
• tease
• torment