being picked off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being picked off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is being targeted or eliminated, often in a strategic or competitive situation. Example: "In the game, players were being picked off one by one until only a few remained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He threw 36 touchdown passes but only 4 interceptions, none since Oct. 17, a staggering run of 335 passes without being picked off.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't think it is an organizational weakness, but sometimes I just feel we took our eyes off making someone know how important and appreciated they are, and therefore left them vulnerable to being picked off.

The New York Times

Sunni jihadist suicide-bombers, many of them reckoned to have been trained in Syria, target Iraqi security forces and ministries.The fighters also single out fellow Sunnis who are remnants of the Sahwa ("Awakening") movement led by tribal leaders who were persuaded by the Americans to turn on al-Qaeda in 2007 and who are now being picked off.

The Economist

Carson struggled again in getting into the end zone and with passes being picked off.

Huffington Post

Aubrey, the social media marketer from Boston who has managed to find her way up the pecking order despite her closest allies being picked off.

Huffington Post

As I watch them being picked off by superior beings, I start to wonder whether this is a metaphor for Man's grim Darwinian struggle.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"And Chagrin in being picked off base.

The New York Times - Sports

He's being picked off at every opportunity.

The Guardian - Sport

Former Nazis are being picked off one by one.

The Guardian - Books

We are, in part, open to being picked off".

The Guardian

Wright was hurt while sliding into first base to avoid being picked off.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being picked off" to convey a sense of systematic targeting or gradual elimination, especially in competitive scenarios or situations involving strategic disadvantage.

Common error

Avoid using "being picked off" in overly casual conversations where simpler terms like "eliminated" or "targeted" would suffice. Its slightly formal tone can sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being picked off" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically describing a situation where a subject is gradually and selectively targeted or eliminated. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

General

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being picked off" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the systematic targeting and elimination of individuals or entities. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as sports contexts, lending it a neutral to slightly formal tone. While the phrase enjoys widespread acceptance, it's crucial to consider the context and avoid overuse in overly informal settings. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "being picked off" into your writing to convey a sense of strategic disadvantage or gradual decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being targeted

Focuses on the act of being singled out, often with negative connotations.

being eliminated

Emphasizes the removal or exclusion from a group or situation.

being taken out

Implies a more forceful or decisive removal.

being defeated

Highlights the loss or failure in a competition or conflict.

being singled out

Stresses the act of being chosen or identified from a larger group.

being undermined

Suggests a weakening or sabotage of one's position or efforts.

being ousted

Indicates a removal from a position of power or influence.

being caught out

Highlights the act of being discovered in a mistake or wrongdoing.

being ambushed

Focuses on a surprise attack or unexpected defeat.

being outmaneuvered

Suggests a strategic defeat through superior tactics.

FAQs

How can I use "being picked off" in a sentence?

The phrase "being picked off" describes a situation where individuals or items are systematically targeted and removed or eliminated. For instance, "During the competition, players were "being picked off" one by one" or "Small businesses are "being picked off" by larger corporations".

What's the difference between "being picked off" and "being eliminated"?

"Being eliminated" is a more general term for removal, while "being picked off" suggests a strategic or selective targeting process. "Being picked off" often implies a gradual and deliberate reduction.

Which is more appropriate, "being picked off" or "being targeted"?

"Being targeted" emphasizes the act of being selected for attention, often negatively. "Being picked off" highlights the result of that targeting: gradual elimination. Choose ""being picked off"" when you want to convey a sense of systematic removal.

What can I say instead of "being picked off" to sound less formal?

For less formal alternatives, you could use phrases like "being taken out", "being eliminated", or even "being defeated", depending on the specific context.