Phrase guide

pick off

noun · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An instance of throwing out a batter leading off base.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • The final out of the game was determined by a pick off.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To remove by picking.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

Examples

  • Before you recycle the bottle you need to pick off the label.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To dispose of tasks, obstacles, opponents etc. precisely, one by one.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Let's pick off these issues starting from the top.
  • England's batsmen were nothing more than sitting ducks waiting to be picked off by these unerringly accurate marksmen.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To dispose of tasks, obstacles, opponents etc. precisely, one by one.

To shoot one by one.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The sniper picked off the incoming police one at a time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To throw out a runner by tagging them whilst they are not in contact with any of the three bases or home plate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • The pitcher attempted to pick off the runner at first, but he was safe.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To intercept, such as a ball in flight.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

pull or pull out sharply

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • pluck the flowers off the bush

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pluck, tweak, pull off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pull, draw, force

Narrower terms: tweeze

8

verb

Meaning 8

shoot one by one

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shoot, pip

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.