pick at

pick at someone or something

to be very critical of someone or something; to pick on someone or something. Why are you always picking at me? The critics picked at the little things, missing the serious problems.

See also: pick

pick at something 

1. Lit. to try to pull away bits of something. Don't pick at the bookbinding. It will fall apart.

2. Fig. to eat just a tiny bit of a meal or some kind of food. You are just picking at your food!

See also: pick

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pick at something

to eat food in small pieces and without enjoyment He eats very little, picking at his food with his fork.

See also: pick