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

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

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2025

People with body dysmorphia also go to a lot of effort to conceal flaws with clothes and make-up, or pick at their skin.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2025

The Lakers didn’t have a first-round pick, but they have a second-round pick at No. 55.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2025

He saw gigantic Frank Volkheimer, in the golden armchair, pick at something on his trousers.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr