pick a fight

pick a fight

To act aggressively or in a certain way toward someone in order to provoke them into a fight. I don't know why she was so critical of me tonight—it's like she was trying to pick a fight or something. He's the kind of troll who just posts on the message board to pick a fight.

See also: fight, pick

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

pick a fight (with someone)

 and pick a quarrel (with someone)

to start a fight or argument with someone on purpose. Are you trying to pick a fight with me? Max intended to pick a quarrel with Lefty.

See also: fight, pick

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

pick a ˈfight/ˈquarrel (with somebody)

deliberately start a fight or an argument (with somebody): Why do you always pick fights with other boys? ♢ At work he’s always picking quarrels.

See also: fight, pick, quarrel

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017