pick a fight

pick a fight — 慣用語

1. to cause a fight or an argument on purpose, typically by saying or doing somethi

1.慣用語B2
釋義

挑釁；找碴

故意挑起爭端或衝突

to cause a fight or an argument on purpose, typically by saying or doing something that provokes another person

例句

Sofia walked into the bar and tried to pick a fight with a stranger.

Sofia 走進酒吧，就想找一個陌生人挑釁。

pick a fight with [someone] — target introduced with 'with'

Kenji knew his brother was trying to pick a fight, so he calmly walked away.

Kenji 知道他弟弟想找碴，於是冷靜地走開了。

try to pick a fight — attempt to provoke

同義詞
  • provoke

    more formal and can describe various kinds of reactions beyond fighting

  • instigate

    more formal, often implies planning or inciting others

  • antagonize

    focuses on creating hostility rather than directly starting a confrontation

  • pick a quarrel

    slightly less common variant that emphasises a verbal rather than physical conflict

反義詞
  • make peace

    the opposite action — resolving conflict instead of starting it

  • avoid conflict

    the opposite strategy — staying away from fights or arguments

文法句型

pick a fight (with someone)

pick a fight (over something)

用法筆記

Commonly used with the preposition 'with' to introduce the target of the fight. Can refer to both physical confrontations and verbal arguments.

常見錯誤

❌He picked a fight against me.
✅He picked a fight with me.
💡the correct preposition after the phrase is 'with', not 'against'.
❌She picked a fight to me.
✅She picked a fight with me.
💡use 'with' to introduce the person being provoked, not 'to'.