Pick away at Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpɪk/ /əˈweɪ/ /ˈæt

PIK-uh-WAY-at

UK

pˈɪk/ /ɐwˈeɪ/ /ˈæt

PIK-uh-WAY-at

Definition

To eat small amounts of something slowly over time, or to continually criticize or complain about someone or something in a subtle way.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and often used with food or with constant subtle criticism. Common pairings: 'pick away at your dinner', 'pick away at my work'. When used for criticism, it suggests repeated, low-level annoyance.

• Spanish: picar poco a poco - criticar constantemente
• Portuguese (BR): beliscar aos poucos - criticar constantemente
• Portuguese (PT): beliscar aos poucos - criticar repetidamente
• Chinese (Simplified): 一点点地吃 - 不断批评
• Chinese (Traditional): 一點點地喫 - 不斷批評
• Hindi: थोड़ा-थोड़ा कर खाना - बार-बार आलोचना करना
• Arabic: ينقر قليلاً قليلاً - ينتقد باستمرار
• Bengali: আলতো করে খাওয়া - বারবার খুঁটে খাওয়া - বারবার খুঁত ধরে সমালোচনা করা
• Russian: ковыряться (в еде) - постоянно придираться
• Japanese: 少しずつ食べる - ちくちく批判する
• Vietnamese: ăn lắt nhắt - liên tục chỉ trích nhẹ nhàng
• Korean: 야금야금 먹다 - 계속해서 트집을 잡다
• Turkish: yavaş yavaş yemek - sürekli eleştirmek
• Urdu: آہستہ آہستہ کھانا - بار بار تنقید کرنا
• Indonesian: mencicipi sedikit demi sedikit - terus-menerus mengkritik

Example Sentences

He picked away at his salad, not very hungry.

basic

She picks away at my ideas during meetings.

basic

The child just picked away at her dinner, barely eating anything.

basic

My boss always picks away at every little mistake I make.

natural

I just pick away at snacks when I’m bored.

natural

He didn't want the cake, so he just picked away at it during dessert.

natural