English Dictionary

pick at

verb

(transitive, idiomatic) To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers. / (transitive, idiomatic) To pick on or repeatedly criticize (someone).

She likes to pick at her food.

意味（1）

(transitive, idiomatic) To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers.

Mr Vholes remained immovable, except that he secretly picked at one of the red pimples on his yellow face with his black glove.

意味（2）

(transitive, idiomatic) To pick on or repeatedly criticize (someone).

[N]oise and disrespect of no kind ain't pleasin' to him. His own folks behave becomin', but strangers go and act as they like. . . . Then we are picked at for their doin's.