pick through
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To look through a messy pile of things carefully to find what you need.
Literal meaning: To pick (select carefully) through (all the way through a collection).
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To search carefully through a disordered or large collection to find something.
"Rescue workers picked through the rubble looking for survivors."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral
To examine a collection of documents, data, or records in detail to find relevant information.
"The investigators spent weeks picking through thousands of emails."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Often used when the collection being searched is disordered, messy, or large. Common in contexts such as searching through rubble, archives, clothing, or evidence. Slightly more formal feel than 'rummage through'. Appears in both literal and figurative contexts.
Commonly used with
rubble documents files clothes debris evidence
Forms
Base
pick through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks through
he/she/it
Past simple
picked through
yesterday
Past participle
picked through
have + pp
-ing form
picking through
continuous
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Synonyms
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