pick at
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle at
Meanings
Touch or pull small parts repeatedly
Why “at”? AT can show steady effort on one task. The effort stays on the same point.
“Don't pick at the cut on your hand.”
“The child picked at the label on the jar.”
Test yourself
“Don't pick at the cut on your hand.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
be at
Same at pattern: effort
Be in a particular place or point; Be doing something again, often something annoying
go at
Same at pattern: effort
Work on something with strong energy; Attack or argue with strong energy
have at
Same at pattern: effort
Start doing something eagerly
keep at
Same at pattern: effort
Continue trying with effort
work at
Same at pattern: effort
Make steady effort on a task or skill
pick off
Same base verb: pick
Shoot or remove people one by one
pick on
Same base verb: pick
Treat one person unfairly by blaming, criticising, or hurting them repeatedly
pick out
Same base verb: pick
Choose something from a group
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