pick holes

pick holes in (something)

To make an effort to find flaws or negative aspects in something through excessive analysis or criticism. Every time I show my brother one of my stories, he just picks holes in it without saying anything that he liked about it. Critics picked holes in his performance, but fans of the franchise seemed to love it.
See also: hole, pick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pick holes

criticize.
See also: hole, pick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pick ˈholes (in something)

(informal) criticize something or find fault with something, for example a plan, a reason, an argument, etc: It’s easy for you to pick holes in my explanation, but have you got a better one?
See also: hole, pick
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • pick holes in
  • pick holes in (something)
  • pick holes in something
  • pick someone or something to pieces
  • pick to pieces
  • pick (someone or something) to pieces
  • pick apart
  • pick (something) to bits
  • pick, pull, etc. somebody/something to bits/pieces
  • pull (something) to bits
References in classic literature
Began to tell his adventures in a vague way, but somebody started to pick holes, and he just shut up like an oyster.
We're not going to pick holes in each other's coats, I suppose.'
If I may pick holes in your philosophy, Miss Vinrace, which has its merits, I would point out that a human being is not a set of compartments, but an organism.
Fermanagh's defensive style has its limitations and while it may yield results elsewhere, Tipp should be able to pick holes in the wide expanse of Semple Stadium.
"Let's face it, people are always going to pick holes in your game.
If you were being ultra-critical you could also pick holes in manager Emery, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and midfield anchor Thiago Motta.
Dan then doggedly pursues Jon in an effort to pick holes in his seemingly charmed life and ruin his reputation - all in the hope of getting justice for Alex.
Hull boss Mike Phelan said: "I am not going to pick holes in the players.
in the past I compared Sam to Tony Pulis; the fans are happy when you're winning but when the results don't come they begin to pick holes in the style of compared Sam to Tony Pulis; the fans are happy when you're winning but when the results don't come they begin to pick holes in the style of football.
For the record it feels improper to pick holes in her shoe choice when she was being recognised for her work with the PVSI (campaign to end sexual violence in war zones) but this is a column on style so forgive me.
To those who would like to pick holes with the way the gangs were depicted, let me say this.
The candidates brush up their business plans, before Lorshugga's friends pick holes in them.
London, Mar 28 ( ANI ): Kate Winslet says that watching her 1997 hit 'Titanic' is a "profoundly weird experience" and she finds it hard not to pick holes in her acting.
Fatfat, who did not fail to pick holes in the proportionality-based proposal of Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, maintained that the Orthodox Gathering's electoral project could be a basis for other suggestions.
Despite that setback the Ospreys were finding it far too easy to pick holes in the Treviso defence, and Rhys Webb's sniping run eventually yielded a simple penalty for Biggar to put them back in front.