pick away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick away from" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is describing the action of removing or selecting something from a larger group or area, but it is not commonly used. Example: "He decided to pick away from the pile of leaves to find the hidden treasure."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Goodell fined Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots $750,000 and took a first-round draft pick away from the team.

The New York Times

There is still a possibility that the Giants will try to pry the No. 2 pick away from Oakland to pick offensive tackle Robert Gallery, and they could also trade down if Manning and Gallery are gone before they pick.

The New York Times - Sports

Always work the hoof pick away from the frog.

WikiHow

This means that you should start close to the frog and move the hoof pick away from it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As England's navy grew, the need for timber began to seriously pick away at the woodland: from an estimated land coverage of 15% in 1086, England's forests and woods had dwindled to just 5.2% by 1905.

The Guardian - Travel

The new government must try to pick away those who might talk from those who are bent on eternal war against western civilisation.At the wild end of the spectrum is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who aligns himself with Osama bin Laden.

The Economist

The player is thus forced "to play with aching, paranoid care, picking away at base defences from as far away as possible, and rubbing up against the save points like a lovely cat finally reunited with its owner.

Wikipedia

But that didn't stop him from picking away, almost obsessively, at one aspect of civilised repression, also exposed by Freud: sexual repression.

The Guardian - Books

Despite Noel's drop – he was two or three picks away from getting consolatory phone calls from Aaron Rodgers – he was still picked up one spot earlier than Kansas's Ben McLemore, maybe the most talented player in the draft, who was taken seventh by the Sacramento Kings.

The Guardian - Sport

In his final mock draft, he proved to be an average of 5.72 picks away from the actual pick in the 2010 draft.

Huffington Post

Sure, I can have a bunch of gorillas and bears to hide behind, but I would likely still get picked off from 500 yards away and I really don't want to die at the hands of an American.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick away from", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate removal or selection that also creates spatial separation.

Common error

Avoid using "pick away from" in purely abstract contexts where there is no physical act of picking and removing. Opt for more appropriate phrases like "take away from" or "detract from" when discussing non-physical effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick away from" functions as a verb phrase, describing an action involving the removal of something from a specific location or group, emphasizing the act of separating it. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in both physical and slightly more abstract contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick away from" describes the action of selecting or removing something with an intention of creating separation or distance. While grammatically acceptable, it is a less common expression compared to alternatives like "remove from" or "select from". Ludwig shows that its usage spans across news, wiki, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. It’s important to use this phrase mindfully, ensuring the context justifies the emphasis on both selection and separation, as noted in Ludwig's feedback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove from

Focuses on the act of taking something out of a group or place; more direct.

select from

Emphasizes the act of choosing something from a set; highlights the decision-making process.

extract from

Implies carefully taking something out, often with effort; suggests precision.

detach from

Highlights the separation or disconnection of something; stresses the ending of a connection.

separate from

Emphasizes the division or setting apart of something; focuses on the distinction.

draw away from

Implies moving something backward or sideways; suggests a strategic retreat or avoidance.

disengage from

Highlights the act of freeing oneself from an obligation or responsibility; signifies a conscious decision to stop participating.

retreat from

Focuses on moving back or withdrawing from a situation; emphasizes avoidance of conflict.

withdraw from

Emphasizes the act of taking something back or pulling away; often used in formal contexts.

distance oneself from

Implies creating emotional or social separation; used when discussing relationships.

FAQs

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

You can use "pick away from" to describe the act of carefully selecting and removing something from a larger group, creating distance in the process. For example, "She decided to pick a table away from the busy street".

What is a more common alternative to "pick away from"?

Alternatives such as "remove from" or "select from" are more frequently used and widely understood in most contexts.

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "pick away from"?

While not strictly incorrect, "pick away from" is less common and may sound awkward to some. It's best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize both selection and physical separation.

When should I use "pick away from" instead of "take away from"?

"Pick away from" should be used when the action involves physically picking something and moving it, while "take away from" is more general and can apply to abstract concepts.