pick away
Gradually remove by picking
Literally: To select or pull something away from a larger whole.
In 15 Seconds
- Removing or finishing something bit by bit over time.
- Used for physical objects, large tasks, or even financial debts.
- Implies steady progress and patience rather than speed.
Meaning
To slowly remove small pieces of something over time, or to gradually weaken a problem or task by dealing with it bit by bit.
Key Examples
3 of 6Cleaning a messy garage
I've been picking away at the garage all weekend, and it's finally looking better.
I have been cleaning the garage bit by bit all weekend.
Eating a meal you don't like
He just sat there picking away at his salad while we talked.
He sat there eating small bits of his salad.
Discussing a long-term project with a manager
We are picking away at the backlog of tickets and should be caught up by Friday.
We are gradually reducing the number of support tickets.
Cultural Background
The phrase is often used in the context of 'side hustles' or personal projects. It reflects the American value of 'rugged individualism'—the idea that you can build something great through your own steady effort. In the UK, 'picking away' can sometimes be used with a sense of 'muddling through'—continuing to work despite difficulties or a lack of clear direction. While not a native English culture, the concept of 'picking away' is the closest English equivalent to 'Kaizen.' When explaining 'Kaizen' to English speakers, 'picking away at inefficiencies' is a common translation. Australians might use 'plugging away' more frequently, but 'picking away' is understood and used to describe persistence in harsh conditions, like farming or construction.
Use it for encouragement
If a friend is overwhelmed, tell them 'Just pick away at it.' It sounds much more manageable than 'You have to finish this.'
Don't forget the 'at'
Leaving out 'at' is the most common error. Always say 'pick away AT something.'
In 15 Seconds
- Removing or finishing something bit by bit over time.
- Used for physical objects, large tasks, or even financial debts.
- Implies steady progress and patience rather than speed.
What It Means
Pick away describes a slow, repetitive action. Imagine you are peeling a label off a jar. You don't get it all at once. You take small bits off. It is about patience and persistence. It can be physical, like cleaning a crusty plate. It can also be mental, like finishing a huge project. You are not rushing. You are just slowly making progress.
How To Use It
Use it when a task feels too big to finish quickly. You can pick away at a debt. You can pick away at a pile of emails. Usually, we use the word at after it. You pick away at something. It implies that the thing is tough or stubborn. It is a great way to show you are working hard without being stressed. It sounds very steady and calm.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you are talking about hobbies. Maybe you are knitting a sweater. You pick away at it every evening. Use it at work for long-term goals. If you have a 50-page report, tell your boss you are picking away at it. It shows you haven't finished, but you are definitely trying. It is also perfect for describing someone eating slowly. If a kid hates broccoli, they might just pick away at the edges.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for fast actions. If you finish a burger in two bites, you didn't pick away. Avoid it in emergencies. You wouldn't pick away at a fire with an extinguisher. That sounds way too relaxed! Also, be careful in romantic settings. Saying you are picking away at a relationship sounds like you are slowly destroying it. That is not a compliment!
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the 'slow and steady' work ethic. In English-speaking cultures, we value 'chipping away' at problems. It suggests a person who doesn't give up. It is often associated with manual labor or crafts. Think of a sculptor with a chisel. It feels very grounded and 'blue-collar'. It suggests that even small efforts matter over time.
Common Variations
Chip away is the most common cousin. It sounds a bit more aggressive. Nibble away is used for smaller things, like snacks or small costs. Whittle away is often used for budgets or time. If you say someone is picking at something, it might mean they are being annoying or critical. Adding away makes it sound more like a productive, ongoing process.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and versatile. It is most commonly used with the preposition 'at'. It is appropriate for both physical tasks and abstract concepts like time or money.
Use it for encouragement
If a friend is overwhelmed, tell them 'Just pick away at it.' It sounds much more manageable than 'You have to finish this.'
Don't forget the 'at'
Leaving out 'at' is the most common error. Always say 'pick away AT something.'
Workplace nuance
Using this phrase in a meeting shows you are realistic about the time a task takes but committed to finishing it.
Examples
6I've been picking away at the garage all weekend, and it's finally looking better.
I have been cleaning the garage bit by bit all weekend.
Shows the task was large and required multiple sessions.
He just sat there picking away at his salad while we talked.
He sat there eating small bits of his salad.
Suggests he wasn't very hungry or didn't enjoy the food.
We are picking away at the backlog of tickets and should be caught up by Friday.
We are gradually reducing the number of support tickets.
Professional way to show progress on a tedious task.
This textbook is huge, but I'm picking away at a few chapters every night.
I'm reading a few chapters every night to finish this big book.
Casual way to describe studying.
That cake is a monster, but if we all pick away at it, it'll be gone soon!
If we all eat small pieces, we will finish the giant cake.
Uses the phrase to make a daunting 'task' (eating) seem fun.
It took five years, but she finally picked away at her student loans until they were gone.
She slowly paid off her loans over five years.
Conveys a sense of relief and long-term effort.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
I have a lot of studying to do, but I'm just going to ______ ______ ______ it for an hour.
'Pick away at' is the correct phrasal verb for doing a task bit by bit.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Select the correct usage:
The correct order is 'pick' + 'away' + 'at' + object.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: This report is 50 pages long! I'll never finish. B: Don't worry, just ______.
'Pick away at it' is the standard way to encourage someone to work on a long task.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Pick vs. Chip vs. Plug
Practice Bank
3 exercisesI have a lot of studying to do, but I'm just going to ______ ______ ______ it for an hour.
'Pick away at' is the correct phrasal verb for doing a task bit by bit.
Select the correct usage:
The correct order is 'pick' + 'away' + 'at' + object.
A: This report is 50 pages long! I'll never finish. B: Don't worry, just ______.
'Pick away at it' is the standard way to encourage someone to work on a long task.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, they are almost identical. 'Chip away' is slightly more common in business, while 'pick away' is a bit more informal and versatile.
Be careful. 'Picking away at someone' means criticizing them or undermining their confidence. It is usually negative when applied to people.
It depends on the tense! 'I am picking away' (now), 'I picked away' (past), 'I will pick away' (future).
No, you must say 'pick away AT the problem.' The 'at' is required for the object.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, but maybe not in a formal legal document.
There isn't a single opposite, but 'blitz,' 'rush through,' or 'tackle all at once' are contrasting concepts.
Yes! You can pick away at a scab, loose paint, or a piece of bread. This is the literal meaning.
Often, yes. It suggests a task that requires patience and repetition rather than excitement.
Very common. It's used in offices, sports, and daily life across the US.
Yes, like 'picking away at a goal' or 'picking away at a savings target.'
Related Phrases
chip away at
synonymTo gradually make something smaller or weaker.
plug away at
similarTo work hard and persistently at something.
whittle away
specialized formTo reduce something gradually (like a budget).
gnaw away at
similarTo slowly erode or worry something.
peck away at
similarTo do something in small, repetitive steps.
