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

The number one pick at this year's Draft, the 18-year-old forward finished with 42 points, seven rebounds and six assists at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025

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

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

Vance said Trump had weighed announcing Vance as his VP pick at the Butler rally but ultimately decided to hold off.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2024

Vance was introduced as Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick at the Republican National Convention, the most surprising thing, in my estimation, was his wife’s shoes.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2024

We pick at the food, push it around our plates.

From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell