Pick and choose Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɪk/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈtʃuz
PIK-ənd-CHOOZ
pˈɪk/ /ˈænd/ /tʃˈuːz
PIK-AND-CHOOZ
Definition
To carefully select only what you want from a group of things, rather than taking everything offered.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, sometimes used to suggest being selective to a fault. Commonly used in 'You can't pick and choose' or to imply someone wants only the best parts. Not interchangeable with just 'choose' or 'pick'.
Spanish: escoger y elegir - seleccionar cuidadosamentePortuguese (BR): escolher a dedo - selecionar cuidadosamentePortuguese (PT): escolher a dedo - selecionar cuidadosamenteChinese (Simplified): 精挑细选Chinese (Traditional): 精挑細選Hindi: चुन-चुनकर चुननाArabic: ينتقي بعناية - يختار على مزاجهBengali: বেছে বেছে নেওয়া - খেয়ালখুশিমতো বাছাই করাRussian: выбирать только то, что хочется - избирательно подходитьJapanese: 選り好みするVietnamese: chọn lựa kỹ càng - kén chọnKorean: 골라서 선택하다 - 가려서 고르다Turkish: seçerek almak - ayırt etmekUrdu: چُن چُن کر لیناIndonesian: memilih dengan cermat - pilih-pilih
Example Sentences
You can't pick and choose which rules you want to follow.
basic
She likes to pick and choose her projects at work.
basic
At the buffet, you can pick and choose whatever you want to eat.
basic
He's so picky—he always wants to pick and choose who he works with.
natural
Life isn't a menu where you can just pick and choose the easy parts.
natural
Don’t think you can just pick and choose your responsibilities here.
natural