pick holes
Poke at weaknesses
To pick holes in something is to find faults or weaknesses in it, typically an argument, plan, or piece of work.
The phrase suggests a deliberate, critical examination aimed at exposing flaws rather than offering constructive feedback.
The committee spent hours picking holes in the proposal.
Someone who picks holes may be genuinely identifying problems or may simply be looking for reasons to reject something they already oppose.
- find faultExpress disapproval of imperfections
- cavilPetty objection
- criticizeJudge unfavorably, vocally
- carpWhine about trivialities
- nitpickFind petty faults
split hairs · quibble · complain · faultfinding · question · call into question · pull apart · take apart · challenge · object · shoot down · censure · disparage · deprecate · rebut · refute · belittle · scrutinize