picks away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "picks away from" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where something is being gradually removed or diminished, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The artist picks away from the canvas, revealing layers of color beneath."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 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

My pick: Nopalito Away from The Mission, but so worth the trip, this bright-windowed restaurant, its walls cactus-green and tables bare, dishes out some of the city's freshest, most flavour-bombing Mexican food.

The Guardian - Travel

Results show that picking velocities away from the shadow zone flattened out reflection events in the offset gathers, indicating that they are predominantly primaries.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Pick someplace away from other people.

WikiHow

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "picks away from", ensure the context clearly indicates a gradual or selective removal. Consider whether a more common alternative like "takes away from" would improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "picks away from" in overly literal contexts where a simple removal is meant. Overusing this phrase can sound unnatural and detract from the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "picks away from" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action of gradual or selective removal. This is inferred from the examples provided by Ludwig, where it's used to describe both literal and figurative processes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picks away from" is a phrase used to describe the action of gradually or selectively removing something. According to Ludwig, it is categorized as acceptable, though rare in occurrence. The limited examples, identified by Ludwig, suggest that it's used in a variety of contexts, from News and Media to scientific writing. Due to its potential for ambiguity, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates a gradual or selective removal. Alternatives like "takes away from" or "detracts from" may provide improved clarity in many cases. While not incorrect, the phrase's uncommon nature suggests considering more conventional alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

takes away from

Emphasizes the removal or reduction of something.

slowly removes

Focuses on the pace of extraction or displacement.

detracts from

Focuses on diminishing the value or quality of something.

moves away from

Emphasizes the act of physically or metaphorically distancing.

gradually diminishes

Stresses the slow and incremental nature of reduction.

chips away at

Implies a persistent and incremental reduction.

erodes

Highlights a gradual process of wearing something down.

draws away from

Highlights the action of pulling or attracting something away.

peels away from

Suggests a layered removal, like skin or paint.

extracts from

Focuses on the process of taking something out of something else.

FAQs

What does "picks away from" mean?

The phrase "picks away from" suggests a gradual or selective removal or detachment of something. It can also imply a slow erosion or diminishing of something else.

When is it appropriate to use "picks away from"?

Use "picks away from" when describing a process of gradually removing or detracting from something, often implying a selective or careful approach. Consider alternatives if clarity is paramount.

What are some alternatives to "picks away from"?

You can use alternatives like "detracts from", "takes away from", or "erodes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when using "picks away from"?

Ensure the context provides sufficient information to understand what is being removed or diminished and why. If possible, opt for more common and direct alternatives to avoid ambiguity.