pick off
The term "pick off" has various meanings, often involving precision in removal or targeting, commonly used in sports and tactical scenarios.
Definition
B2General
(common)To remove or pluck something from a larger group or structure.
Example
- She picked off the dead leaves from the plant.
B2Sports
(baseball, technical)In baseball, to throw the ball to a fielder who tags a runner out when the runner is not on base.
Example
- The pitcher managed to pick off the runner at first base.
C1Military
(technical)To shoot and kill or wound someone from a distance, typically one by one.
Example
- The sniper picked off the enemy soldiers one by one.
B2Sports
(common)To intercept or catch something, such as a ball, during a game.
Example
- The defender picked off the pass and ran for a touchdown.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pick off":
pick atpick onpick apartpick outpull offpick uppeck attear offpeel offhook offbite offpick up onhack offnick offpinch outclaw offrake offrack offflick offpeel awayfork offdraw offcross offtake offchew offhead offcheck offmark offchop outthrow offkill offpitch outpluck uphit offpeg outrip outtouch offpick up stitcheslook off