pick

A2 · Elementary

v. to take flowers, fruit, or vegetables off a plant.

v. to harvest or gather by plucking from the place of growth.

“We spent the afternoon picking apples in the orchard.”

“The vineyard workers must pick the grapes at the precise moment of ripeness to ensure the wine's quality.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to use your fingers or a tool to remove small bits of something.

v. to remove something from a surface or cavity using the fingers or a pointed instrument.

“He tried to pick the lint off his black sweater.”

“The bird used its beak to pick insects out of the crevices in the tree bark.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to intentionally start an argument or a fight with someone.

v. to provoke or initiate a quarrel or conflict deliberately.

“He was looking for trouble and tried to pick a fight with the waiter.”

“It is unwise to pick a quarrel with a colleague over such a trivial administrative matter.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to open a lock without using the proper key.

v. to open a lock by using a wire or tool other than the intended key.

“The thief managed to pick the lock in less than a minute.”

“The protagonist in the film had to pick the lock of the safe to retrieve the stolen documents.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the person or thing that has been chosen.

n. the act of selecting or the person or thing selected.

“The blue dress was her top pick for the party.”

“The coach announced that the young striker was his first pick for the starting lineup.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a heavy tool with a curved metal head used for breaking hard ground.

n. a heavy tool with a long handle and a curved metal head pointed at one or both ends.

“The miners used a pick to break through the hard rock.”

“The archaeological team carefully used a pick and shovel to clear the compacted earth from the site.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Music

n. a small, flat piece of plastic used to play a guitar.

n. a small thin piece of plastic, ivory, or metal used to pluck the strings of a guitar or similar instrument.

“He dropped his guitar pick inside the acoustic guitar by accident.”

“The lead guitarist prefers a heavy pick to achieve a sharper attack during his solos.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal

n. the best part or the best items in a group.

n. the best or most desirable part of a group or collection.

“They had the pick of the best seats because they arrived early.”

“As the first investor, she had the pick of the most promising startups in the incubator program.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports American English

n. a move in sports where a player blocks a defender to help a teammate.

n. an offensive manoeuvre in which a player stands in the way of a defender to free a teammate for a shot or pass.

“The center set a pick to help the guard get an open shot.”

“The referee whistled for a foul because the player was moving while attempting to set a pick.”