pick on
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To repeatedly and unfairly criticize, tease, or bully someone, especially someone smaller or weaker.
To single out a particular person for harsh treatment, blame, or negative attention, often persistently.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrasal verb implies a persistent, targeted action. The object is almost always a person or group of people. It carries a negative moral judgment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use it identically.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects. Associated with bullying and unfair treatment.
Frequency
Equally common in everyday speech in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] pick on [Object (Person)][Subject] pick on [Object (Person)] for [Reason]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pick on someone your own size!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to describe a manager unfairly targeting an employee. 'She felt her boss was always picking on her during meetings.'
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. May appear in sociological or psychological texts discussing bullying behaviour.
Everyday
Very common, especially in contexts of school, family, and social groups.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The older lads used to pick on him for his accent.
- Don't pick on your sister just because you're in a bad mood.
American English
- The coach kept picking on the new kid during practice.
- Why does management always pick on our department for budget cuts?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother always picks on me.
- The teacher told the children not to pick on each other.
- She felt her classmates were picking on her because she was quiet.
- Bullies often pick on people who seem different.
- The investigation seemed to arbitrarily pick on a few mid-level managers while ignoring senior leadership.
- He resented the way his father would constantly pick on him for minor mistakes.
- The tabloid press has a tendency to pick on celebrities during vulnerable moments in their lives.
- Rather than addressing systemic issues, the government prefers to pick on easy scapegoats.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person PICKing (choosing) ONE specific smaller person ON a list to bully. They 'pick ON' that one.
Conceptual Metaphor
TARGETING IS SELECTING (singling out a specific target from a group).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'выбирать на'. 'Задирать' or 'придираться' are closer concepts.
- Do not confuse with 'pick up' (подбирать/подвозить).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pick on' for inanimate objects (wrong: 'He always picks on my ideas.' Better: 'He always criticizes my ideas.')
- Confusing it with 'pick at' (to eat without appetite).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'pick on' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely and informally. It's primarily for people. For constant criticism of things, 'find fault with' or 'criticize' is better.
'Pick on' is the specific, repeated action. 'Bully' can describe the overall behaviour or the person's character. 'He bullied me' and 'He picked on me' are very close, but 'bully' is stronger.
It is informal. In formal writing (academic, legal, official reports), use synonyms like 'harass', 'victimize', or 'single out'.
Yes, but context and tone are crucial. Friends might say 'Stop picking on me!' in a light-hearted way about a joke, but it still implies minor, friendly teasing.