Pick over Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To examine things carefully, usually to select the best items or remove unwanted ones.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal; often used for food (like fruits or beans) or second-hand goods. Implies careful selection or removal of bad items. Common collocations: 'pick over the' (vegetables, shelves, clothes). Not the same as 'pick up' (to collect) or 'pick out' (to choose one).
Example Sentences
Please pick over the beans before cooking.
basic
You really have to pick over the berries—they bruise so easily.
natural
She likes to pick over the apples to find the best ones.
basic
They picked over the old books at the market.
basic
By the time I arrived, the sale had been picked over and there was nothing good left.
natural
She spent an hour picking over the clearance rack but didn't find anything she liked.
natural