picks at
Nags with criticism
Picks at describes repeated small actions directed at something.
You might pick at food when eating without appetite, taking small bites halfheartedly: She just picked at her dinner.
To pick at a scab or loose thread is to pluck at it absently or compulsively.
Figuratively, picking at someone means criticizing them in small, persistent ways: He's always picking at her about something.
- nitpickFind petty faults
- find faultExpress disapproval of imperfections
- pluckSpirit or yank
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- harp onRepeat tediously, incessantly
scab · skin · nibble · chip · chip away · flake · dissect · poke · peel · graze · prod · scrape · sample · criticize · bite · chew · gnaw at · fault-find
picks atdevours
Eats ravenously
wolfs down · gobbles up · polishes off · inhales · demolishes
picks atpraises
Verbally commends
encourages · leaves alone · supports · compliments · builds up
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