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

---

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.”

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pick on

The approach carried over into the Dodgers’ second and final pick on the day — Florida right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer at No. 132.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 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

That doesn’t mean Stafford was thrilled about general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay spending a first-round pick on his heir apparent.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

I am going to have to pick on liberal arts majors.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 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