cherry picker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral, but predominantly technical for the physical device; informal and sometimes pejorative for the extended meanings.
Quick answer
What does “cherry picker” mean?
A mechanical lifting device used to reach high places, consisting of a platform mounted at the end of a hydraulic arm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanical lifting device used to reach high places, consisting of a platform mounted at the end of a hydraulic arm.
1. A person who selects only the best or most desirable items, people, or information. 2. The practice of selectively choosing data or examples to support a particular argument.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both dialects use the term for the physical device and its figurative extensions. British English may be slightly more likely to use 'mobile elevated work platform (MEWP)' in formal technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral for the physical device. For the figurative meaning, often implies unfairness, bias, or a lack of representativeness in selection.
Frequency
The term for the physical equipment is common in construction, maintenance, and film/TV industries in both regions. The figurative sense is widespread in business, politics, and media discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cherry picker” in a Sentence
[Subject] + uses/hires/operates + a cherry picker[Subject] + is accused of + cherry-picking + [Object]To + cherry-pick + from + [Source]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cherry picker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The report was criticised for cherry-picking facts to support its conclusion.
- They tend to cherry-pick the most experienced graduates.
American English
- Politicians often cherry-pick data to make their case.
- The coach was accused of cherry-picking players for the all-star team.
adjective
British English
- His cherry-picking approach to historical evidence is flawed.
- A cherry-picker mentality dominates the recruitment process.
American English
- That's a cherry-picker argument if I've ever heard one.
- We need to avoid cherry-picker methodologies in our analysis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a competitor for selectively using only favourable statistics.
Academic
Describing a methodological flaw in research where only supportive evidence is cited.
Everyday
Talking about hiring equipment to change a lightbulb on a high ceiling.
Technical
Referring to a vehicle-mounted articulating boom used for line maintenance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cherry picker”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cherry picker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherry picker”
- Confusing 'cherry picker' with a 'forklift' or 'scissor lift'. Using 'cherry picker' as a verb without hyphenation ('cherry pick' vs the more standard 'cherry-pick').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the physical equipment, it is a standard, neutral term in industries like construction and utilities. For the figurative meaning ('to cherry-pick'), it is common but informal, often used in critical contexts like politics or media analysis.
A cherry picker (boom lift) has an articulated or telescopic arm that can extend over obstacles. A scissor lift has a platform that only moves vertically, straight up and down, using a criss-crossing 'scissor' mechanism.
Yes, the verb form is typically hyphenated: 'to cherry-pick'. The noun for the device is not hyphenated: 'a cherry picker'. The adjective can be hyphenated (cherry-picking) or written as a single word (cherrypicking), though hyphenation is more common.
Rarely. Even when referring to selecting the 'best', it usually implies an unfair or biased selection process that ignores less favourable items. It is most often used as a criticism.
A mechanical lifting device used to reach high places, consisting of a platform mounted at the end of a hydraulic arm.
Cherry picker: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeri ˈpɪkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeri ˈpɪkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cherry-pick the data”
- “cherry-pick the best candidates”
- “accused of cherry-picking”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of literally picking only the ripest, reddest cherries from the top of the tree, ignoring the rest. The machine helps you do that; the person does it metaphorically.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELECTING THE BEST IS HARVESTING THE RIPEST FRUIT.
Practice
Quiz
In a formal technical specification for a construction site, which term is LEAST likely to be used synonymously with 'cherry picker'?