pick and choose

1. Select with great care, as in John and Kate loved to go to the pastry shop, especially if they had time to pick and choose. Despite its redundancy (pick and choose are synonyms), this phrase has survived since the 1400s.

Example Sentences

“They want to pick and choose what the news is,” Kimmel said.

From Salon

Success meant he could pick and choose his projects, with many chiming with his politically liberal views.

From BBC

It would have full control over players and be able to pick and choose their dates, rather than working around the existing calendar.

From BBC

And when the president and highly ranked officials in his administration vilify lower court judges the way they have, and if the president says that he can pick and choose among lower court opinions, then I think you know, necessarily, his followers may think that they can do the same.

From Salon

“If the NFL Constitution were to bind former employees, the Commissioner could essentially pick and choose which disputes to arbitrate,” the ruling stated.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• elect 
• name 
• prefer 
• take