Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
picking
/ˈpɪkɪŋ/
The word 'picking' is the present participle of the verb 'to pick'. As a verb, it can be used in various contexts, from literal actions like picking up an object or picking fruit, to more abstract concepts like picking a winner or picking up a new skill. It is generally an informal word, but its usage can range from everyday conversation to more specific technical contexts (e.g., 'picking' a lock). It's important to note the different meanings based on the context and any accompanying prepositions or objects.
💬Casual Conversation
Victoria, stop picking at the details. We must embrace the cosmic flow.
The 'cosmic flow' is currently hemorrhaging ten grand a minute, sir.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
picking fruit
The act of gathering ripe fruit from trees or plants.
We went picking fruit at the local orchard.
picking pockets
The act of secretly stealing money or valuables from someone's pocket.
The crowd was so dense, it was easy for picking pockets.
picking teams
The process of selecting players to form two opposing teams.
Let's start picking teams for the game.
picking fights
The act of deliberately provoking an argument or physical confrontation.
He's always picking fights at the bar.
picking locks
The skill of opening a lock without the key.
He claims he learned picking locks in prison.
Phrasal Verbs
pick up
To collect someone or something.
I'll be picking you up at eight.
pick out
To choose or select something from a group.
Can you help me picking out a tie?
pick on
To treat someone unfairly or unkindly, often by blaming or teasing them.
Stop picking on your little sister!
pick at
To eat very little food; to nibble or to irritate a wound.
He was just picking at his food.
pick through
To search through something carefully, often to find something specific or discard unwanted items.
She spent hours picking through the old clothes.
Idioms & Sayings
picking up the pieces
To recover from a difficult situation or disaster and try to return to normal.
After the bankruptcy, they are slowly picking up the pieces.
picking holes in
To find fault with or criticize something in detail.
He loves picking holes in everyone's arguments.
picking winners
Successfully choosing people or things that are likely to succeed.
The fund manager is known for picking winners.
picking and choosing
Being very selective and careful about what or whom to accept or reject.
You can't be picking and choosing when you need a job.
picking up on something
To notice or understand something, especially something that is not immediately obvious.
She's very perceptive, always picking up on subtle changes.
Etymology
The word 'picking' comes from the Old English word 'picung', which meant 'the act of pricking or piercing'. This, in turn, derives from the verb 'pician', meaning 'to prick, peck, or pierce'. The word's root can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic pīkōną, related to 'peak' and 'pike'. The sense of 'selecting' or 'choosing' developed later, likely from the idea of picking out individual items from a larger group, as one might pick thorns or fruit. The meaning of stealing, as in 'picking pockets', emerged in the 17th century, possibly from the quick, sharp movements involved.