pick away

USAGE SUMMARY

'pick away' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
It is a colloquialism that can be used informally when speaking. For example, you might say "Just pick away at it for a few more minutes and you'll finish in no time".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Pick away according to taste.

Independent

"You pick away at a question," Byrne said.

The New Yorker

He tried to pick away at the cinder-block wall.

The New Yorker

More problematic was the defense's ability to pick away at her credibility.

The New York Times

"The Tempest can pick away at the Hatchery in the north".

The New Yorker

The Internet has started to pick away at the M.P.A.A.'s authority in other ways.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Right from the start, Baran picks away at this idea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I began picking away at my own personality and that was dizzying," he said.

Independent

The algorithms are all looking for and picking up some kind of weakness in those particular bank stocks, picking away at them, picking away.

The Guardian - Business

In his autobiography he compares it to being underground, picking away blindly at a seam.

The Guardian - Books

Soon I'll clean the seed by picking away or sieving out any detritus.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "chip away at" or "erode" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "pick away" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick away" functions as a phrasal verb, typically implying a gradual or persistent action of removing or diminishing something. Ludwig AI notes that it's a colloquialism, suggesting it might be more suitable for informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pick away" is frequently used across various sources, especially in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as a colloquialism and not a grammatically correct phrase for formal writing. It implies a gradual reduction or weakening and appears most often in informal to neutral contexts. When writing, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "chip away at" or "erode" to maintain a professional tone and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chip away at

Implies a gradual reduction or weakening of something.

nibble away at

Suggests small, persistent efforts to diminish something.

wear away

Focuses on erosion or gradual loss due to friction or pressure.

erode

Highlights the gradual destruction or diminution of something.

undermine

Emphasizes weakening the foundation or support of something.

gradually diminish

Highlights that the decay is slow.

slowly reduce

Highlights that the decay is slow.

incrementally weaken

Highlights that the decay is slow.

whittle down

Implies reducing something in size or amount by gradually cutting or scraping bits off.

pluck at

Suggests a series of small, often ineffective, attempts to remove something.

FAQs

How can I use "pick away" in a sentence?

While "pick away" is often used informally, consider more formal alternatives like "chip away at" or "erode" for written communication.

What can I say instead of "pick away"?

You can use alternatives such as "nibble away at", "wear away", or "undermine" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pick away" or "chip away at"?

"Chip away at" is generally considered more grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing, while "pick away" is often used in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "pick away" and "whittle down"?

"Whittle down" implies reducing something in size or amount by gradually cutting or scraping bits off, whereas "pick away" is a more general term for gradually diminishing something. Therefore, "whittle down" is more specific.