pick at

British  

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to make criticisms of in a niggling or petty manner

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pick at Idioms  

1. Pluck or pull at, especially with the fingers, as in She was always picking at her skirt with her nails . [1600s]

2. Eat sparingly and without appetite, as in He was just picking at his dinner . [Late 1500s]

3. Nag, badger, as in He's picking at me all day long . [ Colloquial ; second half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pick at

And he is yet to feature in The Hundred - in which he was a wildcard pick at Northern Superchargers, where his father was coach last summer - or the T20 Blast.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Natalia leaves out healthy finger food, like chopped peppers and apples, for her children to pick at.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

“Her methodology feels very Eastern European in male and female relationships and dynamics,” Sokol explains as her guests pick at deviled eggs and brie cheese with manicured nails.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

Thanks to its record and growth prospects, Alibaba stock is a top pick at Jefferies.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2025

In berry season, I could sell all the benies I could pick at my grandfather’s store.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

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