Search
Select the dictionary language
to pick apart
[phrase form: pick]
01
to break something down into its individual pieces
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
apart
Base verb
pick
Present tense
pick apart
3rd person singular
picks apart
Present participle
picking apart
Past simple
picked apart
Past participle
picked apart
Examples
After the clock stopped working, he decided to pick it apart to find the issue.
02
to criticize something and mentioning all the flaws or negatives in a detailed and unkind way
Dialect
American
AmericanExamples
She 's always quick to pick apart my choices, no matter what I decide.
03
to masterfully overcome someone or something
Examples
with their well-choreographed routine, the dance troupe managed to pick apart the competition.
