pecks at
Eats in bits
To peck at something is to eat in small, unenthusiastic bites, like a bird picking at food: She just pecked at her dinner.
It also means to criticize or nag persistently: He's always pecking at me about something.
Both senses suggest repeated, minor actions rather than full engagement.
- billAmount owed, written
- bird feederOutdoor seed dispenser for wildlife
- nitpickFind petty faults
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
find fault · pick apart · beak · question · strike · forage · scrutinize · poke · nibble · analyze · inspect · probe · jab · hit · test · prod · examine · knock
eating intensity/completeness
pecks atdevours
Eats ravenously
wolfs down · gobbles up · inhales · polishes off · bolts
peck, pecks, pecked, pecking, pecker, peckers, woodpecker, woodpeckers