pɪk əˈpɑːrt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- pick
- Particle:
- apart
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "pick apart" mean?
- To criticize something in great detail
- To analyze something carefully, finding all its flaws
- To separate something into pieces
Examples
- The critics picked apart his latest novel.
- She picked apart every argument I made.
- The lawyer picked apart the witness's testimony.
- Don't pick apart my ideas before I've finished explaining.
- He picked apart the sandwich, eating each ingredient separately.
How to use it
Often negative, implying excessive or harsh criticism. Common in academic, legal, and professional contexts where detailed analysis is required.
Word order
Object can go between: 'pick the argument apart' or after: 'pick apart the argument'.
Similar expressions
criticize
analyze
dissect
examine
deconstruct
Opposites
accept
approve
overlook
Related phrasal verbs
- pick up
To lift something from a surface
- pick out
To choose or select something from a group
- pick on
To bully or repeatedly criticize someone unfairly
- take apart
To separate something into its component parts
- fall apart
To break into pieces
- pull apart
To separate something into pieces
Use it in a practice answer
Try "pick apart" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.