by picking on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by picking on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of bullying or teasing someone, often in a repeated or targeted manner. Example: "He was always by picking on his younger brother, making him feel inferior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The German media group Axel Springer has been pursuing Eyeo, which makes one of the most popular desktop ad blockers, through the courts by picking on an aspect of the company's business model that has always proved controversial, but is also unusual: offering publishers the ability to pay to have their ads bypass the ad blocker – its so-called "acceptable ads programme".

The Guardian - Tech

Meanwhile, they divert attention by picking on those most affected by this crisis.

The Guardian

He has the populist's art of winning the favour of the majority by picking on vulnerable minorities.

The Economist

But her quick start unraveled amid missed first serves, and Kuznetsova forced mistakes by picking on Cirstea's backhand side.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody was beaten up by gangs of marauding gay men looking to prove themselves by picking on "a breeder".

The Guardian - Opinion

He starts by picking on an easy target: the massive, concrete public housing projects that were, once upon a time, championed by visionaries like Le Corbusier.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Osmond plays safe by only picking on private land with the permission of owners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whether your buttons are pushed by someone picking on a personal insecurity or someone violating a value, you have four choices.

Huffington Post

Individual library colonies were arrayed by manual picking on 96 well plates in liquid selective SOB medium plus 7.5% of glycerol for independent growth [ 40].

BMC Genomics

"And you gain status by being picked on in some ways," he said.

The New York Times - Health

And he was actually picked on by other teams, by other referees, other communities, simply because of his size.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by picking on", consider the intensity of the action. If the behavior is more severe than casual teasing, a stronger term like "bullying" or "harassing" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "by picking on" when the action involves serious abuse or violence. This phrase might downplay the gravity of the situation; opt for terms that accurately reflect the harm caused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by picking on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb, describing the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Sports

8%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by picking on" is a prepositional phrase that typically describes the act of unfairly targeting someone with teasing or criticism. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the severity of the situation and choose more precise language if the behavior constitutes serious abuse or bullying. Alternative phrases like "by singling out" or "by targeting" can offer a more formal tone or a slightly different nuance in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by singling out

Focuses on the act of choosing one from many, emphasizing selection rather than necessarily negative intent.

by targeting

Suggests a deliberate focus on a specific individual or group, often for a particular purpose.

by bullying

Directly implies aggressive and intimidating behavior towards someone.

by harassing

Indicates persistent and unwanted actions that disturb or threaten someone.

by persecuting

Implies systematic and cruel mistreatment, often due to identity or beliefs.

by victimizing

Highlights the act of making someone a victim, emphasizing the harm caused.

by preying on

Suggests taking advantage of someone's vulnerability.

by tormenting

Indicates causing severe mental or physical suffering.

by teasing

Implies lighthearted or playful mockery, which may or may not be harmful.

by making fun of

Suggests ridiculing or mocking someone, often in a humorous way.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by picking on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "by singling out", "by targeting", or "by victimizing", depending on the specific context.

Is "by picking on" always negative in connotation?

Yes, "by picking on" typically carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is being unfairly targeted or harassed. The level of negativity can vary, but it rarely has a positive or neutral meaning.

What's the difference between "by picking on" and "bullying"?

"By picking on" describes the act of singling someone out for teasing or criticism. "Bullying", on the other hand, implies a more systematic and aggressive form of harassment. "Bullying" often involves a power imbalance and repeated harmful actions, going beyond simple teasing.

How to use "by picking on" in a sentence?

You can use "by picking on" to describe someone who is repeatedly teasing, criticizing, or harassing another person. For example: "The older kids were "by picking on" the smaller children after school."