1 [in singular] an act or the right of selecting something from a number of alternatives:take your pick from our extensive menuLaura should have first pick
(the pick of) informal the person or thing perceived as the best in a group:he was the pick of the bunch
someone or something that has been selected:the club made him their first pick
2 Basketball an act of blocking or screening a defensive player from the ball handler.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] take hold of and remove (a flower, fruit, or vegetable) from where it is growing:I went to pick some flowers for Jenny’s room
[with object and adverbial] take hold of and lift or move:he picked a match out of the ashtraypicking her up, he carried her from the room
[no object] (pick up) Golf take hold of and lift up one’s ball, especially when conceding a hole.
2 [with object] choose (someone or something) from a number of alternatives:maybe I picked the wrong careerhe was picked for the England squad [no object]:Maggie picked on a nice reliable chap
(pick one's way) [with adverbial of direction] walk slowly and carefully, selecting the best places to put one’s feet:he picked his way along the track, avoiding the potholes
3 [no object] repeatedly pull at something with one’s fingers:the old woman was picking at the sheet
eat food in small amounts or without much appetite:she picked at her breakfast
[with object] remove unwanted matter from (one’s nose or teeth) by using one’s finger or a pointed instrument:he picked his teeth with a matchstick
criticize someone in a petty way:don’t start picking at Ruth
4 [with object] pluck the strings of (a guitar or banjo):people were singing and picking guitars
pick and choose
select only the best from a number of alternatives:he could pick and choose from the world’s most beautiful women
pick someone's brains (or brain)
informal obtain information by questioning someone who is better informed about a subject than oneself:mind if I pick your brain for a minute?
pick something clean
completely remove the flesh from a bone or carcass:the vultures had picked the bones clean
pick one's feet up
raise one’s feet clear of the ground when walking.
pick a fight (or quarrel)
talk or behave in such a way as to provoke a fight or argument:it wasn’t in his nature to pick a fight with anyone
pick holes in
find fault with:it’s really not too difficult to pick holes in the plan
pick a lock
open a lock with an instrument other than the proper key.
pick someone's pockets
steal something surreptitiously from someone’s pocket.
pick someone/thing to pieces (or apart)
criticize someone or something severely:I knew that some people would pick the album apart
pick up the pieces
restore one’s life or a situation to a more normal state after a shock or disaster:I’ve spent the last four years trying to pick up the pieces!
pick up the threads
resume something that has been interrupted:to pick up the threads of work he had done fifteen years ago was a Herculean task
pick someone/thing off
shoot a member of a group, aiming carefully from a distance:the soldiers were picked off by snipers
Baseball put out a runner by throwing the ball to a base.
pick on
repeatedly single (someone) out for criticism or unkind treatment in a way perceived to be unfair:no one is picking on you—we’re trying to helppick on someone your own size!
pick someone/thing out
1distinguish someone or something from a group:Lester picked out two familiar voices
(of a light) illuminate an object by shining directly on it:the car’s headlights picked out a road sign and she swung left
highlight or accentuate something from its surroundings by painting or fashioning it in a contrasting colour or medium:the initials are picked out in diamonds
2play a tune on a musical instrument slowly or with difficulty:she began to pick out a rough melody on the guitar
pick something over (or pick through)
sort through a number of items carefully:they picked through the charred remains of their home
pick up
1become better; improve:my luck’s picked up
become stronger; increase:the wind has picked up
2answer a telephone call:let the machine pick up and return the call later
pick someone up
1go somewhere to collect someone, typically in one’s car:will you pick the children up from school?
stop for someone to board a train, boat, etc.:they were picked up by a passing ship
informal arrest someone:she was picked up on prostitution charges
2 informal casually strike up a relationship with a stranger as a sexual overture:he picked her up in a bar
3return to a point made by someone in order to criticize it:she picked him up on one niggling point
4make someone feel more energetic and cheerful:songs to pick you up and make you feel good
pick something up
1collect something that has been left elsewhere:Wanda came over to pick up her things
2obtain, acquire, or learn something, especially in an informal way:he had picked up a little Russian from his father
catch an illness or infection:I’ve picked up some kind of flu bug
3detect or receive a signal or sound, especially by means of electronic apparatus:we’ve picked up a distress signalthe animals had picked up their scent and were following their trail
(also pick up on) become aware of or sensitive to something:women are very quick to pick up emotional atmospheres
4 (also pick up) resume something:they picked up their friendship without the slightest difficulty
(also pick up on) refer to or develop a point mentioned earlier:Dawson picked up her earlier remark
5 informal pay the bill for something:he never allowed her to pick up the cheque
6find and take a particular road or route:they veered left and picked up the road which ran alongside the river
7North American tidy a room or building.
pick up after
chiefly US tidy up things left strewn around by (someone):Tony did at least pick up after himself
