pick a quarrel with (someone) - to start a quarrel with someone (usually on purpose) I do not like that woman because she likes to pick a quarrel with others. pick and choose - to choose very carefully from a number of possibilities The company made an effort to pick and choose the best people for the new project. pick at (someone) - to be very critical of someone The woman is always picking at her husband for very small things. pick at (something) - to eat only little bits of something The boy was sick and would only pick at his food. pick holes in (something) - to.