Synonyms

pick-off

American

[pik-awf, -of] / ˈpɪkˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Baseball. a play in which a base runner, caught off base, is tagged out by an infielder on a quick throw, usually from the pitcher or catcher.
Electronics. a mechanism that senses mechanical motion and produces a corresponding electric signal.

pick off British

verb

(tr, adverb) to aim at and shoot one by one

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pick off Idioms

Shoot after singling out, as in The hunter picked off the ducks one by one. [Early 1800s]

Etymology

Origin of pick-off

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase pick off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Andy Pages was caught stealing to end the sixth inning, getting stuck in a rundown after a premature jump that triggered a pick-off throw from Luzardo.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2025

He dove into scouting reports with first base coach Clayton McCullough on opposing pitchers’ timing and pick-off tendencies, coupling a cerebral component with his explosive raw foot speed.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

An inning later, Gonzales’ throwing error on a pick-off attempt advanced Ketel Marte to third, and he scored on Carson Kelly’s sacrifice fly.

From Fox News • Sep. 11, 2021

He only escaped the first inning scoreless because he caught Altuve napping at second base and executed a deft pick-off throw to J.P.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2021

Cody walked Kyle Seager in the second inning, then threw a pick-off attempt wide to advance him to second.

From Washington Times • Sep. 5, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023