pick off
Take out selectively
To pick off is to remove or eliminate targets one at a time, usually from a distance or with precision.
A sniper picks off enemy soldiers.
A fielder picks off a runner caught off base.
The defense picked off three passes.
The phrase suggests selective, deliberate removal rather than wholesale destruction: Creditors picked off the company's assets one by one.
In succession, separately
- systematicallyIn organized, planned fashion
- whittle downReduce incrementally
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- dispatchSend with speed
neutralize · remove · take out · thin out · cull · wipe out · attrition · methodical
Select from alternatives
- single outSelect for special attention
- identifyEstablish who or what
- handpickSelect individually with care
- cullSelective removal
distinguish · pluck · separate · isolate · extract · spot · pinpoint · target
Concealed precision shooter
- crosshairsIntersecting sighting lines
- scopeExtent or range
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- marksmanPrecision shooter
sharpshooter · aim · target · quarry · prey · stalk · ambush · camouflage
one by one
In succession, separately
- systematicallyIn organized, planned fashion
- whittle downReduce incrementally
- reduceMake smaller in degree
dispatch · neutralize · remove · take out · thin out · cull · wipe out · attrition · methodical · gradual
choose
Select from alternatives
- single outSelect for special attention
- identifyEstablish who or what
- handpickSelect individually with care
cull · distinguish · pluck · separate · isolate · extract · spot · pinpoint · target · discriminate
sniper
Concealed precision shooter
- crosshairsIntersecting sighting lines
- scopeExtent or range
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
marksman · sharpshooter · aim · target · quarry · prey · stalk · ambush · camouflage · blind
runner
One who sprints
pitcher · pickoff · first base · second base · shortstop · tag · leadoff · baseman · balk · rundown
- baseball defenseshortstop, second baseman, first baseman, third baseman, catcher
- gunfireshoot, gunshot, artillery fire, fire, gunfire
pick offcarpet bomb
Indiscriminate aerial bombardment
spray and pray · strafe · broadside · saturation bombing · mow down
off, pick, picking, picked, picker, unpicked, pickerel, repick