pick his brain

USAGE SUMMARY

"pick his brain" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to ask someone in-depth questions in an effort to gain knowledge or insight. For example, "I'm going to pick his brain to get a better understanding of how the stock market works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wanted to pick his brain".

The New York Times

Federal prosecutors flew out to California to pick his brain.

The New York Times

"We just sit down and pick his brain".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll pick his brain," Lumpkin said of learning the offense.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've tried to pick his brain," Murphy said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just wanted to pick his brain and help me become more consistent," Piazza said.

The New York Times - Sports

Bryant began to pick his brain about dealing with black athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

"Being around a guy like that, you have to pick his brain before he leaves," Pagan said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I used to be able to pick his brain, and he'd give me the answers," Girardi said.

The New York Times

Leadership-wise, coming off a championship year, those guys can pick his brain on what it takes".

The New York Times - Sports

Our other hooker, Dave Palmer, was very technical and Ronnie was always trying to pick his brain.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "pick his brain" adds a more conversational, relatable tone compared to formal alternatives like 'consult him'.

Common error

Avoid using "pick his brain" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more direct or respectful term like "consult" or "seek advice from" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick his brain" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of seeking information or advice from someone, often through informal conversation or questioning. This is consistent with Ludwig's confirmation of its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pick his brain" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to describe the act of informally seeking knowledge or insights from someone. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use. While it's generally suitable for neutral or informal contexts, more formal situations might require alternatives like "seek his expertise" or "consult him". Understanding its nuances helps in effective communication across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pick his brains

More emphatic variant using plural form.

Tap into his knowledge

Emphasizes using his accumulated knowledge.

Get his insights

Highlights the acquisition of understanding.

Draw on his experience

Highlights using his past experiences as a source of information.

Seek his expertise

Focuses on the value of the individual's knowledge.

Consult him

Implies a formal request for advice or information.

Learn from him

Focuses on the educational aspect of the interaction.

Solicit his advice

Suggests a formal or respectful request.

Interview him

Suggests a structured question and answer session.

Question him closely

Highlights the thoroughness of the inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "pick his brain" in a sentence?

You can use "pick his brain" to describe an informal conversation where you're trying to gain knowledge or insights from someone. For example, "I'm going to pick his brain about the company's new project." Or, "I wanted to "pick his brain" after the lecture to better understand the topic".

What can I say instead of "pick his brain"?

You can use alternatives like "consult him", "seek his expertise", or "get his insights" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "pick his brain" in a formal setting?

While "pick his brain" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal settings, it's better to use phrases like "seek advice" or "consult his opinion" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "pick his brain" and "exploit his knowledge"?

"Pick his brain" implies a mutual exchange of information or a friendly inquiry. "Exploit his knowledge", on the other hand, suggests taking unfair advantage of someone's knowledge for your own benefit, which carries a negative connotation.