pick at
Peck without appetite
To pick at something is to eat it in small, unenthusiastic bites: She just picked at her dinner.
It also means to pull or scratch at something repeatedly: Stop picking at that scab.
Figuratively, to pick at someone is to criticize them in small, persistent ways: He's always picking at me about something.
Find petty faults
- nagPester repeatedly
- faultImperfection or blame
- find faultExpress disapproval of imperfections
- carpWhine about trivialities
cavil · quibble · needle · badger · henpeck · belittle · put down · tear apart
Dry measure or quick kiss
- grazeFeed on growing plants
- snackLight between-meal fare
- nibbleSmall, tentative bite
- tasteFlavor perception ability
sample · munch · toy with · push around · eat like a bird · nosh · bite · forage
nitpick
Find petty faults
- nagPester repeatedly
- faultImperfection or blame
- find faultExpress disapproval of imperfections
carp · cavil · quibble · needle · badger · henpeck · belittle · put down · tear apart · snipe
peck
Dry measure or quick kiss
taste · sample · munch · toy with · push around · eat like a bird · nosh · bite · forage
dwell on
Think about excessively
worry · fret · agonize · obsess · overthink · go over · mull over · chew on · preoccupy · haunt
tug
Short forceful pull
tear · pull off · remove · flick · claw · pry · loosen · unravel · fray
pick atdevour
Eat greedily and fast
wolf down · gobble up · scarf down · inhale · polish off
pick attackle
Gear or takedown
dive into · throw oneself into · attack · get stuck into · embrace
pick atpraise
Expression of approval
encourage · build up · support · compliment · leave alone
pick, at, picky, picking, picked, pick out, picks, picker, picking up