pick on
The phrase "pick on" is a phrasal verb commonly used in informal contexts to describe unfair treatment or selection for a task.
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Definition
B2Social Interaction
(informal)To repeatedly criticize, tease, or bully someone in an unfair manner.
Example
- The other kids would often pick on him because of his glasses.
- She felt picked on by her colleagues for her unique ideas.
B2Task Selection
(informal)To choose someone for a specific task or purpose.
Example
- The teacher picked on her to answer the difficult question.
- He picked on the best team members for the project.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "pick on":
pick atpick offpick apartpick outpeck atbeat up onpick up onpick uppoke outprey onhit onpick one's battleschoose uppluck up