pick off

To shoot people or animals separately by aiming carefully at each one.

• The sniper picked off two soldiers.
• They were picking off enemy fighters from the tower.
• Hunters picked the animals off one by one.

How to use it: pick someone off (The sniper picked the soldiers off as they crossed the field.)

Similar words: shoot

Common phrases: pick off someone, pick off enemy soldiers

To remove a small thing from a surface using your fingers.

• Pick off the loose threads.
• She picked a small insect off her sleeve.
• Can you pick the label off without tearing it?

How to use it: pick something off something (She picked the sticker off the jar.); pick something off (He picked it off with his fingernail.)

Similar words: pluck off, remove

Common phrases: pick off something, pick off a label

To catch a ball intended for an opponent before it reaches them.

• She picked off the pass.
• A defender picked off his throw and ran downfield.
• The quarterback had two passes picked off yesterday.

How to use it: pick something off (The defender picked the pass off near the goal.)

Similar words: intercept

Common phrases: pick off a pass, pick off the ball

To deal with problems or defeat opponents separately, one at a time.

• We picked off the easiest tasks first.
• She picked off her weaker opponents early in the tournament.
• Can we pick off these problems one at a time?

How to use it: pick someone/something off (They picked their rivals off one by one.)

Similar words: eliminate, deal with

Common phrases: pick off opponents, pick off something

In baseball, to get a runner out by throwing to a teammate who touches them before they reach base.

• The pitcher picked off the runner.
• She tried to pick him off at first base.
• He was picked off before he could steal second.

How to use it: pick someone off at a base (The pitcher picked the runner off at second base.)

Similar words: put out

Common phrases: pick off someone, pick off a runner

A baseball play that gets a runner out while they are away from a base.

• The pick off ended the inning.
• A quick pick off caught the runner at first base.
• The pitcher attempted another pick off in the seventh inning.

Similar words: pickoff

Common phrases: a successful pick off, attempt a pick off