1pick 
/ˈpɪk/ verb
picks; picked; pick·ing /ˈpɪk/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to choose or select (someone or something) from a group
▪ Pick a card—any card. ▪ They picked a name out of a hat. ▪ The winners will be picked by lottery. ▪ She was picked to replace the retiring CEO. ▪ Who do you think he will pick as/for his running mate? ▪ He picked the blue tie to wear to the interview. ▪ He picked the right/wrong answer. ▪ They both picked New York to win the World Series. [=they both said that they thought the New York team would win the World Series] — see also cherry-pick 2 : to remove (a fruit, flower, etc.) from a plant especially by using your hand
▪ She picked a flower for her mother. ▪ I picked some carrots and a few tomatoes. ▪ They sell freshly picked fruits and vegetables. ▪ Our grapes are picked by hand. — see also handpick 3 a : to remove unwanted material from (something) by using your finger, a small tool, etc.
▪ It's considered impolite to pick your nose in public. ▪ He was sitting at the table, picking his teeth with a toothpick.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to remove (something) from something by using your fingers
▪ Pick the meat from/off the bones. ▪ She picked all the pepperoni off (of) the pizza. 4 chiefly US : to play (a guitar, banjo, etc.) by pulling the strings with your fingers or with a pick : pluck
▪ She was strumming and picking her guitar.
▪ Pick a card—any card. ▪ They picked a name out of a hat. ▪ The winners will be picked by lottery. ▪ She was picked to replace the retiring CEO. ▪ Who do you think he will pick as/for his running mate? ▪ He picked the blue tie to wear to the interview. ▪ He picked the right/wrong answer. ▪ They both picked New York to win the World Series. [=they both said that they thought the New York team would win the World Series] — see also cherry-pick
▪ She picked a flower for her mother. ▪ I picked some carrots and a few tomatoes. ▪ They sell freshly picked fruits and vegetables. ▪ Our grapes are picked by hand. — see also handpick
▪ It's considered impolite to pick your nose in public. ▪ He was sitting at the table, picking his teeth with a toothpick.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to remove (something) from something by using your fingers
▪ Pick the meat from/off the bones. ▪ She picked all the pepperoni off (of) the pizza.
▪ She was strumming and picking her guitar.
bone to pick — see 1bone
pick a fight/quarrel
: to deliberately start a fight with someone
▪ Never pick a fight you can't win. ▪ She sometimes picked fights with other girls at school.
▪ Never pick a fight you can't win. ▪ She sometimes picked fights with other girls at school.
pick a lock
: to open a lock by using something that is not the key
▪ He used a knife to pick the lock on the front door.
▪ He used a knife to pick the lock on the front door.
pick and choose
: to choose only the best or most appropriate things or people
▪ As one of Hollywood's most successful actors, he's now in a position to carefully pick and choose his roles. ▪ The newspaper picks and chooses which stories to report. ▪ With so many candidates, we can afford to pick and choose. [=we can afford to take our time and only choose the best candidate]
▪ As one of Hollywood's most successful actors, he's now in a position to carefully pick and choose his roles. ▪ The newspaper picks and chooses which stories to report. ▪ With so many candidates, we can afford to pick and choose. [=we can afford to take our time and only choose the best candidate]
pick apart [phrasal verb]
pick (someone or something) apart or pick apart (someone or something) chiefly US : to say all of the things that are bad or wrong about (someone or something) : to criticize (a person or thing) in a very detailed and usually unkind way
▪ You can expect political analysts to pick apart the governor's speech. ▪ The film's critics picked his performance apart.
▪ You can expect political analysts to pick apart the governor's speech. ▪ The film's critics picked his performance apart.
pick at [phrasal verb] 1 pick at (something) a : to eat small amounts of (food) very slowly usually because you do not want to eat
▪ She picked at a salad while I ate my steak.
b : to pull on (something) with your fingertips or your fingernails often because you are nervous
▪ She picked at the buttons on her jacket while waiting for her interview. ▪ He was picking at his shoelaces. 2 pick at (someone or something) : to criticize (someone or something) especially for small mistakes
▪ They're constantly arguing and picking at each other.
▪ She picked at a salad while I ate my steak.
b : to pull on (something) with your fingertips or your fingernails often because you are nervous
▪ She picked at the buttons on her jacket while waiting for her interview. ▪ He was picking at his shoelaces.
▪ They're constantly arguing and picking at each other.
pick off [phrasal verb] 1 pick off (someone or something) or pick (someone or something) off : to aim at and shoot (someone or something)
▪ The hunters hid by the stream and waited to pick off deer as they passed. ▪ A sniper was picking off soldiers from the top of the building. 2 pick off (someone) or pick (someone) off baseball : to cause (a player who is standing close to a base) to be tagged out by making a quick throw
▪ The runner on second base was picked off by the catcher. ▪ The pitcher almost picked her off with a quick throw to first base. — see also pickoff
▪ The hunters hid by the stream and waited to pick off deer as they passed. ▪ A sniper was picking off soldiers from the top of the building.
▪ The runner on second base was picked off by the catcher. ▪ The pitcher almost picked her off with a quick throw to first base. — see also pickoff
pick on [phrasal verb]
pick on (someone) 1 : to laugh at or make fun of (someone) in an unkind way
▪ Kids used to pick on me for wearing old worn-out clothes. ▪ He used to get picked on by the other kids at the bus stop. ▪ Why is she always picking on me? ▪ Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size? 2 : to unfairly criticize (one person or group) when others also deserve to be criticized
▪ It's unfair to pick on teachers for the problems in our schools when politicians are equally to blame.
▪ Kids used to pick on me for wearing old worn-out clothes. ▪ He used to get picked on by the other kids at the bus stop. ▪ Why is she always picking on me? ▪ Hey, why don't you pick on someone your own size?
▪ It's unfair to pick on teachers for the problems in our schools when politicians are equally to blame.
pick out [phrasal verb] 1 pick (something) out or pick out (something) a : to choose or select (the best or most appropriate person or thing) from a group
▪ It took him an hour to pick out [=pick] what to wear. ▪ They let their two-year-old daughter pick out her own clothes. ▪ I've picked out the perfect spot for our picnic. ▪ picking out a gift for a friend
b : to play (a song, melody, etc.) by playing each note separately
▪ She sat picking out a tune on the piano. 2 pick (someone or something) out or pick out (someone or something) : to see and identify (someone or something)
▪ His red hair makes it easy to pick him out of/in a crowd. ▪ The police had a witness pick the suspect out of a lineup. ▪ I could pick out the pattern against the background. ▪ No one was able to pick out the originals from the copies.
▪ It took him an hour to pick out [=pick] what to wear. ▪ They let their two-year-old daughter pick out her own clothes. ▪ I've picked out the perfect spot for our picnic. ▪ picking out a gift for a friend
b : to play (a song, melody, etc.) by playing each note separately
▪ She sat picking out a tune on the piano.
▪ His red hair makes it easy to pick him out of/in a crowd. ▪ The police had a witness pick the suspect out of a lineup. ▪ I could pick out the pattern against the background. ▪ No one was able to pick out the originals from the copies.
pick over [phrasal verb]
pick over (something) or pick (something) over : to look at (a group of objects or an amount of material) in order to choose the best ones or to remove pieces you do not want
▪ They picked over the strawberries and threw away the green ones. ▪ Pick over the fish to remove any bones. ▪ The applications were thoroughly picked over and only the best applicants were given interviews.
▪ They picked over the strawberries and threw away the green ones. ▪ Pick over the fish to remove any bones. ▪ The applications were thoroughly picked over and only the best applicants were given interviews.
pick pockets or pick someone's pocket
: to steal money or objects from someone's pockets or purse
▪ One of the boys distracted her while the other picked her pocket. ▪ She survived on the streets by shoplifting and picking pockets. — see also pickpocket
▪ One of the boys distracted her while the other picked her pocket. ▪ She survived on the streets by shoplifting and picking pockets. — see also pickpocket
pick (someone or something) to pieces/shreds
: to study and criticize all of the parts of (someone or something)
▪ The media picked his personal life to pieces. ▪ Her ideas were picked to shreds by her coworkers.
▪ The media picked his personal life to pieces. ▪ Her ideas were picked to shreds by her coworkers.
pick someone's brain/brains — see 1brain
pick (something) clean
: to remove all the material that covers something
▪ The birds picked the bones clean. = The bones were picked clean by the birds.
▪ The birds picked the bones clean. = The bones were picked clean by the birds.
pick up [phrasal verb] 1 pick (someone or something) up or pick up (someone or something) a : to lift (someone or something) from the ground or a low surface
▪ Would you pick that pencil up for me, please? ▪ She picked the book up off/from the ground by its cover. ▪ He bent to pick up his hat. ▪ Pick up the ball! ▪ They picked up their guitars and started to play. ▪ She always picks up her baby when he cries.
b : to go somewhere in order to get and bring back (someone or something)
▪ I have to pick up my kids at school. = I have to pick them up from school. ▪ Have you picked up the car from the repair shop yet? ▪ He picked up his dry cleaning. ▪ They'll hold our tickets but we have to pick them up an hour before the show.
c : to let or put (people or things) into or onto a car, bus, ship, etc.
▪ She had a taxi pick her up at the airport and take her to the hotel. ▪ Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker? ▪ The ship will be picking up more cargo at the next port. 2 a pick up or pick (something) up or pick up (something) chiefly US : to make an area clean and organized by removing trash and putting things in the proper places
▪ We have just enough time to pick up [=clean up] and wash our hands before dinner. ▪ The children worked together to pick up the toys. ▪ Pick up that mess! ▪ You may go outside after you pick your room up. ▪ Everyone needs to help pick up the kitchen after dinner. ▪ We spent the morning picking up the yard after the storm.
b pick up after (someone) : to clean the mess created by (someone)
▪ You have to pick up after yourself if you make a mess. ▪ His mother still picks up after him. 3 : to answer a telephone
▪ I called your house, but no one picked up. ▪ She got to the phone just before the answering machine picked up. 4 : to become busy usually after a period of little activity : to improve or increase in activity
▪ Sales slowed down after the winter holidays, but we're expecting things to pick up again this summer. ▪ Business really picked up last month. ▪ The economy/market seems to be picking up. 5 a : to increase in speed or strength
▪ The wind will pick up later this afternoon. ▪ The movie starts out slowly, but the pace picks up when the two main characters meet for the first time.
b pick up speed/momentum (etc.) : to begin to have more speed/momentum (etc.)
▪ The cyclists quickly picked up speed [=gained speed; began to go faster] as they headed down the mountain. ▪ His campaign has begun to pick up momentum. ▪ The idea began to pick up steam [=become more popular] around the turn of the century.
c pick up the pace : to go faster
▪ If we want to finish on time, we're going to have to pick up the pace. 6 a : to begin again after a temporary stop
▪ The discussion picked up this morning at the point where we had stopped yesterday. ▪ After being separated for three years, they picked up (right) where they left off.
b pick (something) up or pick up (something) : to start (something) again after a temporary stop
▪ We'll pick up this discussion tomorrow. 7 pick (something) up or pick up (something) a : to buy or get (something)
▪ Have you picked up a copy of her new CD yet? ▪ On Tuesdays, he picks up dinner at our favorite restaurant and brings it home. ▪ She stopped to pick up a few groceries at the supermarket.
b : to earn or gain (something)
▪ She'll likely pick up an award for her performance in the film. ▪ The team picked up [=gained] a few yards on the last play. ▪ They've finally picked up their first victory of the season.
c : to become aware of (something, such as a story) and begin to write about it, work on it, etc.
▪ Few people had heard about this problem until the press picked up [=took up] the story.
d : to learn (something) usually in an informal way
▪ I picked up a few French phrases on my trip to Paris. ▪ He seems to pick foreign languages up very easily. ▪ She uses a style of singing she picked up from listening to jazz music. ▪ He's been picking up some bad habits from his friends.
e : to become sick with (an illness) from someone or something
▪ I think I picked up [=caught] a cold from someone at work.
f : to be able to see, hear, or smell (something)
▪ This radio lets me pick up stations from other countries. ▪ The planes were picked up [=detected] by radar. ▪ telescopes picking up the faint glow of distant stars ▪ The dogs picked up the scent and started to bark. : to become aware of (something) ▪ He learned that he could pick up cues from his partner if he paid close attention. ▪ They studied the evidence and managed to pick up some clues. 8 pick (someone) up or pick up (someone) a : to meet and begin a usually brief sexual relationship with (someone)
▪ She used to go to bars to pick up men. ▪ He picked her up at a club.
b of the police : to use the power of the law to take and keep (someone, such as a criminal)
▪ The cops picked up the suspect at a local bar. ▪ The police picked him up [=arrested him] for trespassing/robbery/murder. ▪ The police picked him up for questioning. [=they brought him to the police station in order to ask him questions]
c : to make (someone) feel more energetic and lively
▪ I drank some coffee hoping that it would pick me up a little. — see also pick-me-up
d sports : to get (a player) from another team or from some other source
▪ The team picked up three new players in the draft. ▪ They picked him up from a rival team.
e sports : to begin to guard (a player from the opposite team) during a game
▪ Your job is to pick up an opposing player and block him. 9 pick yourself up a : to stand up again after falling
▪ I fell to the ground but picked myself up and continued running.
b : to recover from a difficult situation
▪ After his divorce, he picked himself up and started looking for love again. 10 pick up and leave/go : to leave suddenly with your possessions
▪ I couldn't just pick up and leave/go without saying goodbye. 11 pick up the tab/bill/check : to pay the money that is owed for something
▪ When she stays at expensive hotels during business trips, her company picks up the tab. ▪ They always offer to pick up the check when we go out to dinner with them. 12 pick up the pieces : to try to make a situation better after something bad has happened
▪ After her business went bankrupt, she picked up the pieces and started again. ▪ They created the problem, and now they expect us to pick up the pieces. — see also pick up the cudgels for at 1cudgel, pick up the gauntlet at 2gauntlet, pick up the slack at 2slack, pick up the threads at 1thread
▪ Would you pick that pencil up for me, please? ▪ She picked the book up off/from the ground by its cover. ▪ He bent to pick up his hat. ▪ Pick up the ball! ▪ They picked up their guitars and started to play. ▪ She always picks up her baby when he cries.
b : to go somewhere in order to get and bring back (someone or something)
▪ I have to pick up my kids at school. = I have to pick them up from school. ▪ Have you picked up the car from the repair shop yet? ▪ He picked up his dry cleaning. ▪ They'll hold our tickets but we have to pick them up an hour before the show.
c : to let or put (people or things) into or onto a car, bus, ship, etc.
▪ She had a taxi pick her up at the airport and take her to the hotel. ▪ Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker? ▪ The ship will be picking up more cargo at the next port.
▪ We have just enough time to pick up [=clean up] and wash our hands before dinner. ▪ The children worked together to pick up the toys. ▪ Pick up that mess! ▪ You may go outside after you pick your room up. ▪ Everyone needs to help pick up the kitchen after dinner. ▪ We spent the morning picking up the yard after the storm.
b pick up after (someone) : to clean the mess created by (someone)
▪ You have to pick up after yourself if you make a mess. ▪ His mother still picks up after him.
▪ I called your house, but no one picked up. ▪ She got to the phone just before the answering machine picked up.
▪ Sales slowed down after the winter holidays, but we're expecting things to pick up again this summer. ▪ Business really picked up last month. ▪ The economy/market seems to be picking up.
▪ The wind will pick up later this afternoon. ▪ The movie starts out slowly, but the pace picks up when the two main characters meet for the first time.
b pick up speed/momentum (etc.) : to begin to have more speed/momentum (etc.)
▪ The cyclists quickly picked up speed [=gained speed; began to go faster] as they headed down the mountain. ▪ His campaign has begun to pick up momentum. ▪ The idea began to pick up steam [=become more popular] around the turn of the century.
c pick up the pace : to go faster
▪ If we want to finish on time, we're going to have to pick up the pace.
▪ The discussion picked up this morning at the point where we had stopped yesterday. ▪ After being separated for three years, they picked up (right) where they left off.
b pick (something) up or pick up (something) : to start (something) again after a temporary stop
▪ We'll pick up this discussion tomorrow.
▪ Have you picked up a copy of her new CD yet? ▪ On Tuesdays, he picks up dinner at our favorite restaurant and brings it home. ▪ She stopped to pick up a few groceries at the supermarket.
b : to earn or gain (something)
▪ She'll likely pick up an award for her performance in the film. ▪ The team picked up [=gained] a few yards on the last play. ▪ They've finally picked up their first victory of the season.
c : to become aware of (something, such as a story) and begin to write about it, work on it, etc.
▪ Few people had heard about this problem until the press picked up [=took up] the story.
d : to learn (something) usually in an informal way
▪ I picked up a few French phrases on my trip to Paris. ▪ He seems to pick foreign languages up very easily. ▪ She uses a style of singing she picked up from listening to jazz music. ▪ He's been picking up some bad habits from his friends.
e : to become sick with (an illness) from someone or something
▪ I think I picked up [=caught] a cold from someone at work.
f : to be able to see, hear, or smell (something)
▪ This radio lets me pick up stations from other countries. ▪ The planes were picked up [=detected] by radar. ▪ telescopes picking up the faint glow of distant stars ▪ The dogs picked up the scent and started to bark. : to become aware of (something) ▪ He learned that he could pick up cues from his partner if he paid close attention. ▪ They studied the evidence and managed to pick up some clues.
▪ She used to go to bars to pick up men. ▪ He picked her up at a club.
b of the police : to use the power of the law to take and keep (someone, such as a criminal)
▪ The cops picked up the suspect at a local bar. ▪ The police picked him up [=arrested him] for trespassing/robbery/murder. ▪ The police picked him up for questioning. [=they brought him to the police station in order to ask him questions]
c : to make (someone) feel more energetic and lively
▪ I drank some coffee hoping that it would pick me up a little. — see also pick-me-up
d sports : to get (a player) from another team or from some other source
▪ The team picked up three new players in the draft. ▪ They picked him up from a rival team.
e sports : to begin to guard (a player from the opposite team) during a game
▪ Your job is to pick up an opposing player and block him.
▪ I fell to the ground but picked myself up and continued running.
b : to recover from a difficult situation
▪ After his divorce, he picked himself up and started looking for love again.
▪ I couldn't just pick up and leave/go without saying goodbye.
▪ When she stays at expensive hotels during business trips, her company picks up the tab. ▪ They always offer to pick up the check when we go out to dinner with them.
▪ After her business went bankrupt, she picked up the pieces and started again. ▪ They created the problem, and now they expect us to pick up the pieces. — see also pick up the cudgels for at 1cudgel, pick up the gauntlet at 2gauntlet, pick up the slack at 2slack, pick up the threads at 1thread
pick up on [phrasal verb] 1 pick up on (something) a : to notice or become aware of (something)
▪ He didn't pick up on the hint. ▪ I seemed to be the only one who picked up on the mistake. ▪ The reader soon picks up on the fact that the story's main character is crazy. ▪ She was nervous, but no one picked up on it.
b : to take (something, such as an idea) from another person or group and use it or continue to develop it yourself
▪ The media has recently begun to pick up on this issue. ▪ The fashion world picked up on this trend after she wore that dress to the award show. ▪ The other students quickly picked up on [=adopted] the expression.
c : to continue talking about (a statement, subject, etc.)
▪ I'd like to pick up on your last comment. ▪ She began the class by picking up on a point she made earlier. 2 pick up (someone) on (something) or pick (someone) up on (something) Brit : to question (someone) about (something said or done)
▪ I'd like to pick up the last speaker on one of the points she made. ▪ When he said that whales were fish, I felt I had to pick him up on it. [=to challenge him on it]
▪ He didn't pick up on the hint. ▪ I seemed to be the only one who picked up on the mistake. ▪ The reader soon picks up on the fact that the story's main character is crazy. ▪ She was nervous, but no one picked up on it.
b : to take (something, such as an idea) from another person or group and use it or continue to develop it yourself
▪ The media has recently begun to pick up on this issue. ▪ The fashion world picked up on this trend after she wore that dress to the award show. ▪ The other students quickly picked up on [=adopted] the expression.
c : to continue talking about (a statement, subject, etc.)
▪ I'd like to pick up on your last comment. ▪ She began the class by picking up on a point she made earlier.
▪ I'd like to pick up the last speaker on one of the points she made. ▪ When he said that whales were fish, I felt I had to pick him up on it. [=to challenge him on it]
pick your way
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to walk very slowly while carefully choosing where to put your feet
▪ The horses slowly pick their way across the rocky ground. ▪ We picked our way down the muddy path.
▪ The horses slowly pick their way across the rocky ground. ▪ We picked our way down the muddy path.
