pick on

verb

1. tr, preposition to select (someone) for something unpleasant, esp in order to bully, blame, or cause to perform a distasteful task

Idioms and Phrases

Tease, bully, victimize, as in She told Mom the boys were always picking on her . [Second half of 1800s] This expression is sometimes put as pick on someone your own size , meaning “don't badger someone who is younger, smaller, or weaker than yourself but do so only to an equal.”

Example Sentences

The Bears used last spring’s No. 1 overall draft pick on quarterback Caleb Williams and need to capitalize on that investment.

From Los Angeles Times

Robinson was with the Rams in 1983 when they used the No. 2 pick on the star running back from Southern Methodist.

From Los Angeles Times

“They need to pick on the other one in the Black Sea, because we’re not going to be intimidated.”

From Los Angeles Times

Not to pick on L.A. schools or students: Grade inflation is omnipresent and more common in affluent areas.

From Los Angeles Times

“I find if you do read the notices you start to play them. If the critics pick on one particular moment of your performance you become obsessed by it. So I don’t read them. My husband usually says something like: ‘They were OK.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• badger
• bully
• get at
• tease
• torment