peck

If a bird does this, it hits or picks at something with its beak.

• The hens peck at seeds.
• A bird pecked my finger.
• The woodpecker was pecking a hole in the tree.

How to use it: peck at something (The pigeons pecked at crumbs on the pavement.)

Common phrases: peck at seeds, peck the ground, peck something open

To do something a little at a time, with pauses between attempts.

• He pecked away at his essay.
• She pecks at the keyboard with two fingers.
• We have been pecking away at this project for months.

How to use it: peck away at something (I pecked away at the report whenever I had a spare moment.)

Similar words: chip away, work intermittently

Common phrases: peck away, peck at something, peck away at something

An old unit for measuring dry goods, equal to eight quarts or about nine liters.

• We bought a peck of apples.
• Four pecks make a bushel.
• The old recipe calls for half a peck of potatoes.

How to use it: a peck of something (The farmer sold me a peck of apples.)

Common phrases: peck of apples, peck of grain, half a peck

A very large amount of something, especially trouble.

• That boy causes a peck of trouble.
• The children brought a peck of dirt into the house.
• She had a whole peck of worries that winter.

How to use it: a peck of something (That careless remark brought him a peck of trouble.)

Similar words: lot, heap, great deal

Common phrases: peck of trouble, peck of dirt