pick on someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pick on someone' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of targeting or bullying someone. Example: "You need to stop picking on Mary. She's not done anything wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

The group therapy sessions were occasions for the group to pick on someone whom they didn't like and taunt them.

The Guardian

Hamilton's latest outrageous idea was published posthumously with colleague Sam Brown of the University of Montpellier, France, in the 22 July issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. Hamilton and Brown propose that trees displaying bright red and yellow leaves are advertising defensive chemicals, in essence telling insects to go pick on someone else.

Science Magazine

IRVINE — With an experienced rotation that includes five players who collectively average nearly 6-foot-10, the UC Irvine men's basketball team is finding it increasingly difficult to pick on someone its own size these days.

Los Angeles Times

Don't pick on someone too much.

WikiHow

USA might not have been able to beat Belgium but had they been able to pick on someone their own size one imagines they would easily have beaten Russia, and what a popular triumph that would have been.

The Guardian - Sport

It is common for someone who is at the top to pick on someone at the bottom, but don't be one of those people.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Most people are uncomfortable when one person is picking on someone else.

WikiHow

If your team members start picking on someone else, jump on board, that way no one will pick on you.

WikiHow

Have you ever witnessed someone doing something wrong whether a bully picking on someone weaker or someone committing a crime?

The New York Times

The next moment, he is tweaking the Securities and Exchange Commission, essentially for not picking on someone its own size.

The New York Times

As the world's largest food company, with more than $100 billion in sales in 2008, the Switzerland-based Nestlé is hardly picking on someone its own size when it challenges CytoSport, which has about $200 million in annual revenue, according to a spokesperson.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing someone you can say "Pick on someone your own size"

Common error

Avoid using "pick on someone" when the interaction is consensual or playful banter. The phrase carries a negative connotation of unfair or malicious targeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick on someone" functions as a phrasal verb used to describe the act of bullying, harassing, or unfairly targeting an individual. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick on someone" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the act of unfairly targeting or bullying an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. It's suitable for neutral contexts, such as news and general discussions. While it's often used to express disapproval, remember that the term carries a negative connotation, so it should be avoided when the interaction is playful banter. Consider alternatives like "bully someone" or "target someone" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bully someone

Directly describes the act of bullying without the phrasal verb structure.

target someone

Focuses on the act of singling out an individual, often with negative connotations.

victimise someone

Highlights the act of making someone a victim.

harass someone

Implies persistent and unwanted behavior towards an individual.

abuse someone

A general term for mistreating someone physically or emotionally.

torment someone

Suggests a more severe and prolonged form of abuse.

intimidate someone

Implies the use of fear to control or influence someone.

persecute someone

Indicates systematic and unjust treatment, often due to prejudice.

browbeat someone

Suggests bullying through overbearing or intimidating speech.

oppress someone

Describes the act of holding someone down through unjust power.

FAQs

What does "pick on someone" mean?

The phrase "pick on someone" means to unfairly single out a person for criticism, bullying, or mistreatment. It often implies an imbalance of power or an unjust targeting.

What are some alternatives to "pick on someone"?

You can use alternatives such as "bully someone", "target someone", or "harass someone" depending on the specific context and the severity of the action.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pick on someone"?

Yes, "pick on someone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb in English. It is widely understood and accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

How can I use "pick on someone" in a sentence?

You can use "pick on someone" in a sentence like this: "It's not fair to pick on someone just because they're different," or "The bully was always picking on smaller kids in the playground."