pick on

This page is about the phrasal verb pick on.

Meaning: If you pick on someone, you repeatedly treat them badly or criticize them.

Synonym: get at (British)

For example:

  • pick on sb Joe sounds childish when he says things like "Why does the boss always pick on me?"

  • pick on sb When Jill was in high school, the other girls picked on her because she was overweight.

Quick Quiz:

If teachers see kids picking on one of their classmates, they will usually

a. stop them

b. join in

c. praise them

Phrasal verbs grammar

1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context ebook

Phrasal Verb of the Day

This entry is in the following categories:

Contributor: Matt Errey