1 B2 neutral
To examine a collection of items carefully, selecting the best or most suitable.
"Shoppers were already picking over the discounted items when the store opened."
separable
pick over
B2 neutral separable transitive
To examine a collection of things carefully, selecting the best items or looking for something specific.
In plain English
To look through a group of things one by one, usually to find the best ones or to choose what you want.
What does "pick over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To examine or analyse something such as an argument, report, or event in close detail.
"Commentators have been picking over the results of the election for days."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pick through items one by one, looking them over.
Actually means
To look through a group of things one by one, usually to find the best ones or to choose what you want.
Usage tip
Often used for physical objects such as produce at a market, clothes at a sale, or ruins after a disaster. Also used figuratively for examining written material, an argument, or a situation in detail. Can carry a sense of taking the best and leaving the rest. Common in both British and American English.
Words that pair with "pick over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
vegetables bargains ruins evidence sales rack argument
How to conjugate "pick over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pick over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
picks over
he/she/it
Past simple
picked over
yesterday
Past participle
picked over
have + pp
-ing form
picking over
continuous
Hear "pick over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pick over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pick over"
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Keep exploring
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