What are the definitions of “pick at”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Eat unwillingly.
I wasn't very hungry so I just PICKED AT my food.
- 2Criticise.
There were a few problems that could be PICKED AT, but it was generally good.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pick at”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pick at is to eat something without enthusiasm or interest, often because you are not hungry or don't like the food. It can also mean to criticize something or someone, usually by focusing on small details or faults.
What are the different verb forms of “pick at”?
| Root Verb | pick at |
| Third Person Singular Present | picks at |
| Present Participle | picking at |
| Simple Past | picked at |
| Past Participle | picked at |
Example
She always picks at her food when she's not feeling well.
Example
He picks at his meal when he's not in the mood to eat.
Example
She is picking at her salad, not really eating it.
Example
Yesterday, he picked at his lunch and didn't finish it.
Example
The food had been picked at but not eaten.
What kind of phrasal verb is “pick at”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“pick at” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She picked at her food during dinner.
Example
He picked at the small mistakes in the report.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“pick at” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She picked at her food during dinner.
Example
He picked at the small mistakes in the report.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “pick at”?
Good things to know
Does “pick at” have an informal or formal tone?
Pick at is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and more formal settings, depending on the context. For example, when discussing someone's eating habits or criticizing a piece of work, pick at can be appropriate in both informal and formal situations.
