pick
pick — verb
- pickpresent simple I / you / we / they
- pickshe / she / it
- pickedpast simple
- picking-ing form
1. to choose a person or thing from several possible ones.
to choose a person or thing from several possible ones.
The coach picked Hana for the final relay team.
pick + person + for + team
From twenty posters, Leo picked the one with the red bus.
pick + noun + from + group
The school picked Marcus to lead the welcome tour.
pick + person + to-infinitive
A nurse picked my name from the list for today's test.
Yuki was picked for the city band after two auditions.
passive: be picked for + group
- pick a winner
- pick a name from a hat
- pick someone for the team
- pick someone to lead
Grammar Patterns
pick + person/thing + from + group
pick + person + to-infinitive
be picked for + team/job
Usage Note
Often used when one option is chosen from a visible list, group, or set. It can also take a to-infinitive after the object when someone is chosen for a task or role.
Common Mistakes
2. to take only the people or things you prefer and leave the rest.
to take only the people or things you prefer and leave the rest.
Rich stores pick and choose which brands they put on shelves.
fixed phrase: pick and choose
At the free table, visitors picked the best books first.
Online buyers can pick only the colors they really want.
pick only what you want
The hotel lets guests pick the fruit they want for breakfast.
- pick and choose
- pick the best pieces
- pick only what you need
- pick from the free pile
- be selective
states directly that someone accepts only certain options
- sort through
suggests examining a group before taking some of it
- cherry-pick
stronger and often critical, implying that only the best items are taken
- take whatever is available
shows no freedom to be selective
- accept all
means not leaving any options behind
Grammar Patterns
pick and choose
pick only what you want
pick + plural noun
Usage Note
This sense usually suggests freedom or privilege to refuse what you do not want. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is a simple act of choosing, while sense 2 stresses selective acceptance.
Common Mistakes
3. to work a small thing loose from a surface or place, usually with your fingers.
to work a small thing loose from a surface or place, usually with your fingers.
Eva picked mud off her white shoes before entering class.
pick + noun + off + surface
The doctor picked a tiny stone out of Noah's heel.
pick + noun + out of + body part
During the film, the boy kept picking at the loose thread.
pick at + small area
Grandpa picked dried paint from the window frame with a knife.
- pick mud off shoes
- pick wax out of an ear
- pick at a sore
- pick paint from a wall
- pull off
a broad everyday phrase for removing something from a surface
- remove
neutral and general, without the idea of small repeated movements
- scratch off
suggests using a nail or tool against a surface
Grammar Patterns
pick + noun + off + surface
pick + noun + out of + place
pick at + small area
Usage Note
The object is usually something small and unwanted, such as dirt, wax, paint, or a thread. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 3 removes bits from a surface or place, while sense 4 takes fruit or flowers from a living plant.
Common Mistakes
4. to take fruit, flowers, or crops off a living plant so you can keep them.
to take fruit, flowers, or crops off a living plant so you can keep them.
We picked peaches behind Uncle Ray's house all afternoon.
pick + fruit
Early workers picked roses before the shop opened at eight.
pick + flowers
After lunch, the children picked beans from the school garden.
pick + crop + from + place
A machine picked oranges while two farmers checked each box.
be picked by hand or machine
- pick strawberries
- pick roses
- pick fruit from trees
- freshly picked beans
- plant
to put seeds or young plants into the ground
- leave to ripen
means not taking the fruit yet
Grammar Patterns
pick + fruit/flowers
pick + crop + from + plant
be picked by hand/machine
Usage Note
Most often used for crops, fruit, and flowers. Unlike sense 3, the thing removed is a complete item growing on a plant, not a small bit of dirt or material.
Common Mistakes
5. to strip cooked meat off bones before eating it or using it in another dish.
to strip cooked meat off bones before eating it or using it in another dish.
After dinner, Aunt Mei picked the chicken for tomorrow's soup.
pick + cooked bird for later use
Sam picked the duck clean before saving the bones for stock.
pick + bird + clean
In the kitchen, Nora picked leftover fish from the small bones.
pick meat from bones
Dad picked the turkey while Grandma wrapped pieces for sandwiches.
- pick a chicken clean
- pick meat from bones
- picked carcass
- pick over the turkey
- leave on the bone
means not removing the remaining meat
Grammar Patterns
pick + bird/fish + clean
pick meat from bones
picked carcass
Usage Note
Usually used after cooking or after other animals have already eaten part of the body. The object is a bird, fish, or carcass rather than a fruit, flower, or small dirty mark.
Common Mistakes
6. to make a note by pulling and letting go of a string with your finger.
to make a note by pulling and letting go of a string with your finger.
Diego picked one guitar string and listened to the note.
pick + string
On stage, Mina picked the bass strings with her thumb.
pick + strings + with + body part
The teacher asked us to pick each string very softly.
pick + each string
In the dark room, Leo picked a note before tuning again.
- pick a string
- pick out a note
- pick the bass strings
- pick softly
- pluck
the closest synonym in music and often the more formal one
- fingerpick
specifically means playing with the fingers instead of a plectrum
- strum
different in technique because it usually brushes across several strings
Grammar Patterns
pick + string
pick + note
pick + guitar/bass + with + fingers
Usage Note
Used mainly with guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments. Distinguish from 'strum': strumming brushes across several strings, while picking often sounds one string or note at a time.
Common Mistakes
pick at
phrasal verbto eat only a little of your food, taking small bites without much appetite.
Lena only picked at her noodles after hearing the bad news.
pick off
phrasal verbto remove or take away things one by one from a group or surface.
Rosa picked off the dead leaves before watering the balcony plant.
pick on
phrasal verbto keep treating one person unfairly, often by criticizing or teasing them.
Older boys kept picking on Evan because of his quiet voice.
pick out
phrasal verbto choose one thing from many, or to notice and identify it among others.
Even in the dark, Nora picked out her red suitcase first.
pick over
phrasal verbto examine a group of things carefully while deciding what to take.
Shoppers picked over the discount shirts before the store closed.
pick through
phrasal verbto search through a pile or group of things carefully to find something.
Volunteers picked through the broken bricks for family photos.
pick up
phrasal verbto lift something, or to collect someone or something and take them with you.
I'll pick up the cake and Grandma on my way home.
pick up on
phrasal verbto notice or understand something small, hidden, or only lightly suggested.
Nadia quickly picked up on the joke and laughed first.
pick yourself up
phrasal verbto recover and continue after failure, shock, or another difficult experience.
After the exam result, Kai picked himself up and applied again.
to feel annoyed with someone and want to talk to them about the problem.
I have a bone to pick with you about yesterday's missing keys.
pick and choose
idiomto accept only the things you really want instead of taking what is offered.
Our guests cannot pick and choose after the food is served.
to ask someone many questions because they know a lot about a subject.
Mina met the baker to pick her brains about sourdough bread.
to deliberately start an argument or physical fight with someone.
After three beers, Owen tried to pick a fight with strangers.
to point out the weak parts of an idea, plan, or piece of work.
The lawyer picked holes in our plan during the first meeting.
pick a lock
idiomto open a lock without using the proper key.
A thief picked the back gate lock with a bent nail.
to steal from someone's pocket without that person noticing.
Someone picked Daniel's pocket on the crowded night market bus.
to criticize someone or something very harshly and in great detail.
The critics picked the new play to pieces after opening night.
to pay the cost of something for yourself or for other people.
Grandpa picked up the bill after our seafood dinner in Keelung.
pick up the pieces
idiomto start recovering after something painful or damaging has happened.
After the fire, neighbors helped the family pick up the pieces.
pick up speed
idiomto begin moving faster than before.
The train picked up speed once it left the tunnel.
pick up the threads
idiomto return to a former activity or way of living after a break.
After the funeral, Mara slowly picked up the threads of daily life.
to move carefully by choosing the safest place for each step.
We picked our way across the wet stones beside the river.
pick a winner
idiomto choose the person, animal, or team that you think will win.
Uncle Ben loves racing, but he rarely picks a winner.
ripe for the picking
idiomeasy for someone to get or take because the chance is especially good.
With two stars injured, the title looked ripe for the picking.
To ask someone who knows a lot for information or advice.
Maya asked her professor to pick his brains about the research.
Could I pick your brains for a minute about this computer problem?
To steal money or things from someone's pocket without them knowing.
A thief picked his pocket on the crowded subway train.
Did anyone see the woman pick the tourist's pocket?
pick — noun
- picksingular
- picksplural
1. the chance or right to decide which person or thing you want from a group.
the chance or right to decide which person or thing you want from a group.
The raffle winner got first pick of the cakes on the counter.
first pick of [group] = first chance to choose
Because Ava arrived early, she had first pick of the window seats.
After Maya chose blue, Ethan had the next pick from the cards.
next pick in a choosing order
The captain won the toss and earned first pick of the players.
- first pick of the cakes
- first pick of the players
- next pick
Grammar Patterns
first pick of [group]
have first pick of [group]
Usage Note
Often appears in patterns such as 'first pick' or 'next pick'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense names the choosing opportunity, not the person or thing finally chosen.
Common Mistakes
2. a person or thing that has been chosen, especially for a team, job, or particula
a person or thing that has been chosen, especially for a team, job, or particular use.
Goalkeeper Emma was Coach Ruiz's first pick for Saturday's match.
pick for [role/team]
This small camera was our pick for the family trip to Hualien.
our pick for [purpose]
Noah was an unexpected pick for class monitor, but he worked hard.
The red sofa became Mia's pick because it fit the narrow room.
- first pick for the match
- our pick for travel
- an unexpected pick
Grammar Patterns
pick for [role]
our pick for [purpose]
Usage Note
Very common with 'for' when the chosen person or thing fits a job, team, or purpose. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the chance to choose.
Common Mistakes
3. a situation where many suitable things are available, so you can choose freely f
a situation where many suitable things are available, so you can choose freely from them.
With ten empty cabins, we had our pick of the best rooms.
have your pick of [plural noun]
Because rain kept shoppers home, Lina had her pick of fresh peaches.
Graduates with coding skills often have their pick of job offers.
have their pick of job offers
After the storm ended, families had their pick of dry blankets.
- have your pick of the rooms
- have her pick of fresh peaches
- have their pick of job offers
- choice
general word; this sense especially suggests many options
- free choice
stresses lack of restriction more directly
Grammar Patterns
have your pick of [plural noun]
have their pick of [plural noun]
Usage Note
Usually follows 'have' and is followed by 'of' plus a plural noun. It suggests plenty of good options are available, not just that one choice exists.
Common Mistakes
4. used to tell someone to choose whichever one they want from the things being off
used to tell someone to choose whichever one they want from the things being offered.
There are three umbrellas by the door, so take your pick.
fixed phrase: take your pick
The bakery sells six kinds of rolls, so please take your pick.
Grandpa spread out his stamps and told Noah to take his pick.
take his pick = choose one offered item
Both jackets fit you well, so take your pick.
- take your pick
- take your pick of these pens
- take his pick
- choose
neutral everyday verb; less idiomatic than this phrase
- help yourself
informal and often used when offering food or small items
Grammar Patterns
take your pick
take your pick of [group]
Usage Note
Most often used as an invitation or offer. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense focuses on choosing now, not on the large number of choices available.
Common Mistakes
5. a heavy tool with a long handle and a metal head, used for breaking hard ground
a heavy tool with a long handle and a metal head, used for breaking hard ground or rock.
The workers used picks to break the frozen ground before sunrise.
use a pick to break hard ground
A rusty pick leaned against the shed beside two old shovels.
Miners swung their picks carefully in the narrow tunnel all morning.
miners swing picks
The farmer grabbed a pick when the fence post struck solid stone.
- break the ground with a pick
- swing a pick
- a mining pick
Grammar Patterns
use a pick to break [ground/rock]
swing a pick
Usage Note
Many speakers say 'pickaxe' when they want the full tool name. This tool breaks hard earth or rock; a shovel is for lifting looser material.
Common Mistakes
6. a small pointed tool used to lift out, clean, or scrape away small things, often
a small pointed tool used to lift out, clean, or scrape away small things, often named by the job it does.
The dentist used a metal pick to clean plaque from my back teeth.
dental tool sense
Nora used a small pick to lift an olive from the tall jar.
use a pick to lift out a small item
Dad kept a fine pick in the toolbox for cleaning mud from bolts.
The jeweller reached for a pick to move the tiny stone.
- a metal pick
- a dental pick
- clean with a pick
Grammar Patterns
use a pick to clean [surface/object]
use a pick to lift [small item]
Usage Note
Often modified by the job it does, as in 'dental pick' or 'olive pick'. Distinguish from noun/7: this sense is a pointed tool for lifting or cleaning small things, while noun/7 is the flat piece used to play guitar.
7. a small flat object, often made from plastic or metal, that you hold to strike g
a small flat object, often made from plastic or metal, that you hold to strike guitar or banjo strings while playing
Ben tucked a blue pick into his guitar case after practice.
guitar pick after practice
Mina played the first song with a soft pick from her bag.
play with a pick
A metal pick gave Leo's banjo a brighter sound on stage.
Dad lent me a thick pick when my fingers started to hurt.
- guitar pick
- use a pick
- strum with a pick
- thick pick
- plectrum
a more technical or formal word for the same thing
- guitar pick
a common everyday term, but narrower because it names one instrument
Grammar Patterns
play with a pick
use a pick on the strings
Usage Note
Often used with verbs like play, strum, and use, and with string instruments such as guitar or banjo. Distinguish from noun/5 and noun/6, which refer to digging or pointed tools rather than something for making music.
Common Mistakes
8. in American football, a catch by a defender of a pass meant for the other team
in American football, a catch by a defender of a pass meant for the other team
The defender made a pick near the end zone with thirty seconds left.
make a pick in American football
A late pick stopped Miami's final drive and ended the game.
Before the break, Owen threw two picks and the team fell behind.
throw a pick = interception by defense
On third down, a pick by Chen gave the Tigers the ball back.
- make a pick
- throw a pick
- late pick
- pick near the end zone
- interception
the full standard term in sports writing
- takeaway
broader; can also include recovering a fumble, not only catching a pass
- completion
a successful pass caught by the receiver's own team
Grammar Patterns
make a pick
throw a pick
Usage Note
Common in American football reports, especially with make, get, or throw. When the quarterback is the subject, 'throw a pick' means his pass was caught by the defense.
Common Mistakes
9. in basketball, a play where one player blocks a defender with their body so a te
in basketball, a play where one player blocks a defender with their body so a teammate can move or shoot
Mia set a pick at the top, and Jay drove to the basket.
set a pick in basketball
The guard used Owen's pick and found room for a short shot.
use a pick to create space
Coach Kim called for a high pick before the final play.
A quick pick freed Sara on the left side for an easy pass.
The referee blew the whistle when the pick came a step late.
- set a pick
- use a pick
- high pick
- pick at the top
- screen
the more standard basketball term
- block
broader; can refer to several kinds of body contact, not only this set play
- pick-and-roll
a larger play built around a pick, not the pick alone
Grammar Patterns
set a pick
use a pick
high pick
Usage Note
Most often appears with set, use, or call for. Distinguish from noun/8, which is a defensive catch in American football, not a blocking move in basketball.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
These verbs all involve making a choice, but they differ in tone and focus. 'Pick' is the most everyday and direct word; it often suggests taking one option from a visible group or list (Mina picked the blue cup). 'Choose' is broader, so it also fits bigger decisions about jobs, schools, or plans (He chose to stay in Tainan). 'Select' is more formal and often suggests a careful or official process, especially in exams, jobs, or research (The panel selected ten photos for the show). 'Single out' is narrower: it means choosing one person or thing from a group because it stands apart, sometimes unfairly. Use 'pick' when the main idea is simply taking one option rather than stressing formality or special attention.
Common collocations
Phrases
- pick and choose
- pick a winner
- pick out a dress
- pick flowers
- pick at your food
- have your pick
Etymology
Modern English 'pick' goes back to Middle English forms meaning to peck, pluck, or pull at something with a sharp small movement. It probably came from a West Germanic source related to Middle Dutch 'picken', and it is also connected to other words for pointed things, such as 'pike'. From that physical idea, English developed several later senses: taking fruit from a plant, pulling meat from bones, and then choosing one thing from a group as if taking it out by hand. The noun grew from the same family and later named pointed tools, a guitar plectrum, and some sports actions.