Synonyms

pick-off

American

[pik-awf, -of] / ˈpɪkˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Baseball. a play in which a base runner, caught off base, is tagged out by an infielder on a quick throw, usually from the pitcher or catcher.
Electronics. a mechanism that senses mechanical motion and produces a corresponding electric signal.

pick off British

verb

(tr, adverb) to aim at and shoot one by one

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pick off Idioms

Shoot after singling out, as in The hunter picked off the ducks one by one. [Early 1800s]

Etymology

Origin of pick-off

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase pick off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He dove into scouting reports with first base coach Clayton McCullough on opposing pitchers’ timing and pick-off tendencies, coupling a cerebral component with his explosive raw foot speed.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

In hopes of giving reliever Alex Vesia an extra moment to warm up, the Dodgers dugout signaled for pitcher Yency Almonte to lob a pick-off to first base.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2022

An inning later, Gonzales’ throwing error on a pick-off attempt advanced Ketel Marte to third, and he scored on Carson Kelly’s sacrifice fly.

From Fox News • Sep. 11, 2021

He only escaped the first inning scoreless because he caught Altuve napping at second base and executed a deft pick-off throw to J.P.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2021

Cody walked Kyle Seager in the second inning, then threw a pick-off attempt wide to advance him to second.

From Washington Times • Sep. 5, 2020

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023