pick out: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘pick out’ mean?
Pick out means to carefully choose or select something or someone from a group or a larger set of options.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "rule out" means to eliminate or exclude something as a possibility or option. It is often used when discussing a process of elimination or when making a decision based on certain criteria.
The idiom "pin down" means to force someone to make a clear statement or commitment about something, or to accurately determine or locate something.
The idiom "pick up what someone is putting down" means to understand or comprehend someone's message or intention, often when it is not explicitly stated. It involves perceiving and grasping the underlying meaning or subtle clues in a conversation or situation.
The idiom "pick up the tab" means to pay the bill or expenses for a group of people or oneself, often in a social or business setting.
"Pick up the pieces" means to regain control or deal with the aftermath of a difficult situation or failure, often involving rebuilding or repairing what has been damaged or broken.
The idiomatic phrase "pick up on" means to notice or perceive something, often a subtle or hidden meaning or signal. It implies a keen sense of observation or understanding, indicating the ability to grasp underlying information or hints.
The idiom "pick someone's brain" means to obtain information or advice from someone by asking them questions and seeking their expertise or knowledge.
The idiom "pick on someone your own size" means to choose someone who is equal in strength or ability to engage in conflict or confrontation, rather than targeting someone who is weaker or unable to defend themselves.
The idiom "pick of the litter" means to choose the best person or thing from a group. It comes from the practice of selecting the best puppy from a litter of newborn dogs.
Unearthing Subtleties
Pick out is an English idiom that has several meanings depending on the context. The primary meaning is to choose or select someone or something from a group. This can refer to physically picking out an item or metaphorically choosing a specific person or thing. The idiom can also mean recognizing or identifying someone or something, as well as describing something that stands out or is noticeable.
When pick out is used to mean selecting or choosing, it often implies a process of careful consideration. The person making the selection takes their time and bases their decision on their preferences or criteria. For example, if someone is asked to pick out a dress from a rack of clothes, they carefully examine the options and choose the one that suits their taste or needs.
In the context of recognizing or identifying someone or something, pick out suggests that the person using the idiom has knowledge or familiarity with the person or thing in question. They are able to distinguish or pick out the person or thing from others that may be similar or unknown. For instance, if someone is asked to pick out their own artwork from a gallery, it means they can identify their work from the works of other artists.
Another usage of pick out is to describe something that stands out or is noticeable in a particular way. It suggests that the thing being described is unique, distinctive, or remarkable in some aspect. For example, if someone says that a particular painting really picks out the vibrant colors of the sunset, they mean that the painting captures or emphasizes the vividness of the colors in a noticeable way.
The idiom pick out has multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean to choose or select, to recognize or identify, or to describe something that stands out or is noticeable. The specific meaning of the idiom is determined by the way it is used in a sentence. Understanding the context is crucial for comprehending the intended meaning of the idiom.
Another idiom related to pick out is "narrow down." This idiom means to reduce the number of options or possibilities in order to make a selection. When you have a lot of choices and you want to make a decision, you can narrow down the options by eliminating the ones that are not suitable or desirable. For example, if you are trying to choose a restaurant to eat at and you have a long list of options, you can narrow down your choices by considering factors such as location, cuisine, and reviews.
Similarly, the idiom "take one's pick" is related to pick out. This idiom means to have the freedom or privilege to choose from a wide range of options. It implies that the person can select any option they prefer without any restrictions or limitations. For example, if someone offers you a gift and tells you to take your pick from a selection of items, it means you can choose whichever item you like the most.
The idiom "cherry-pick" is another related idiom. It means to selectively choose only the best or most desirable options or elements from a larger group. This idiom is often used when someone is being selective and picking out only the things that are advantageous or beneficial to them. For example, if a coach cherry-picks the best players for a sports team, they are choosing only the most skilled athletes to be part of the team.
Lastly, there is the idiom "pick out of a hat." This idiom is used when someone randomly selects or chooses something without any particular criteria or preference. It implies that the selection is based purely on chance or luck. For instance, if a contest winner is chosen by picking a name out of a hat, it means that the winner is selected randomly and without any biased decision-making.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *pick out* can be used in a sentence:
1. She went to the store to pick out a new dress for the party.
2. The art gallery allowed visitors to pick out their favorite painting and buy a copy.
3. He took his time to carefully pick out the perfect gift for his wife's birthday.
More "Verbs" idioms
