pick at

• Deutsches Verb für das lustlose Essen kleiner Mengen oder das wiederholte Berühren, Herumpulen an etwas sowie für ständiges Nörgeln oder Kritisieren.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of eating small amounts without appetite, or repeatedly touching or criticizing something or someone.

unzählbar · intransitiv · Phrasal, untrennbar

1. Eat without appetiteinformal

   To eat very small amounts of food, often because of lack of appetite or anxiety.

   Im Essen herumstochern

   • She just picked at her dinner, not feeling hungry.
   • He was so nervous that he only picked at his food.
   • Stop picking at your plate and eat properly.

   Synonymenibblepeck attoy with

   Antonymebingedevourfeastgorgewolf

2. Criticize repeatedlyinformal

   To repeatedly criticize or find fault with someone in a petty way.

   Herumkritisieren

   • His boss kept picking at his work, finding minor errors.
   • She always picks at her husband for small mistakes.
   • Stop picking at me about the way I dress.

   Synonymebadgercarpcavilnagnitpick

   Antonymepraise

3. Touch or pull repeatedlyinformal

   To repeatedly touch, pull, or scratch something, often nervously.

   Herumzupfen

   • He nervously picked at a loose thread on his shirt.
   • She picked at the label on her bottle while waiting.
   • The child picked at the scab on his knee.

   Synonymefiddle withpluck atpull attweaktwiddleworry

Grundverbpick