pick through
Examine piece by piece
To pick through something is to sort through it carefully, examining items one by one, usually looking for something specific or separating what's useful from what isn't.
People pick through rubble after disasters, pick through evidence during investigations, or pick through a sale rack searching for bargains.
She picked through the strawberries, setting aside the moldy ones.
The phrase suggests slow, deliberate handling rather than casual browsing.
- sortMethod of ordering
- siftSeparate coarse from fine
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- searchAct of seeking
- pawAnimal's clawed foot
root around · select · scrutinize · choose · sort out · scavenge · rummage · filter · glean · forage · fine tooth comb · investigate · separate · evaluate · pile · trash heap · browse · explore
pick, through, picky, picking, thorough, picked, throughout, pick out, thoroughly