What does “Cherry-Pick” mean?
"Cherry-Pick" means to selectively choose or take only the best or most desirable things or options.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He always cherry-picks the best players for his team.
Example
I like to cherry-pick the juiciest fruits at the grocery store.
Example
She tends to cherry-pick the easiest tasks and leave the difficult ones for others
Is “Cherry-Pick” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Cherry-Pick” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Cherry-Pick” effectively in context?
You can use "Cherry-Pick" to describe the act of selectively choosing or taking only the best or most desirable things or options. It implies a deliberate and often unfair selection process. For example, if someone always chooses the best players for their team, you might say, 'He always cherry-picks the best players for his team.'
- 1Sports
The coach was accused of cherry-picking the most talented athletes from other teams.
- 2Food
The chef likes to cherry-pick the freshest ingredients for his dishes.
- 3Decision Making
She decided to cherry-pick the most important points from the presentation.
Similar phrases to “Cherry-Pick”:
To carefully choose or select something or someone
Example
The director handpicked the cast for her new movie.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Cherry-Pick” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Cherry-Pick" is unknown.
Is “Cherry-Pick” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Cherry-Pick" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where someone selectively chooses the best or most desirable options.
What tone does “Cherry-Pick” have?
"Cherry-Pick" conveys a tone of criticism or disapproval. It suggests that the person doing the cherry-picking is being unfair or biased in their selection process.
Can “Cherry-Pick” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "cherry-pick" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes a specific type of selection process. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He always cherry-picks the best players for his team.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "cherry-pick"!' to imply the act of selectively choosing.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- discriminate
- selectively choose
- take the best
- choose the finest
- hand-select
Antonyms
- take what comes
- accept all
- choose at random
- settle for less
- take whatever is available