pick apart

phrasal verb

picked apart; picking apart; picks apart

chiefly US

: to say all of the things that are bad or wrong about (someone or something) : to criticize (a person or thing) in a very detailed and usually unkind way

You can expect political analysts to pick apart the governor's speech.

The film's critics picked his performance apart.

Examples of pick apart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Getting picked apart by his employer right before spring training is among the worst ways to kick off a new season on the job. —

Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2025 The nation’s top pass efficiency defense was picked apart by Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, who had more touchdown passes (two) than incompletions (one) in the first half. —

Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 The Warriors methodically picked apart the Wizards’ backline rotations, which led to open shots at the rim and on the perimeter. —

Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025 The media and pundits have already started to pick apart Biden's speech, which included several bold statements about the country and has ruffled some feathers. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pick apart