pick off

Related to pick off: pick up

pick off

1. To remove something adhered to something else by pulling at it with one's fingertips. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pick" and "off." Please pick the labels off before you put the banana peels in the compost bin. He kept picking off the scabs on his knees—it was making me feel sick!
2. In baseball or softball, to put out a baserunner (who is taking a lead or trying to steal a base) by throwing the ball to the baseman, who then tags that runner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pick" and "off." The catcher noticed the runner trying to steal second base, so he picked him off before he could get back to first.
3. To intercept something that someone else was trying to obtain or achieve. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pick" and "off." The linebacker was able to pick off the pass and run it back for a touchdown. I can't believe Jim picked my clients off like that!
4. To shoot someone or something from a larger group, especially from a distance. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pick" and "off." My dog runs into the bushes to scare the birds. That way I can pick them off as they fly away. The sniper began picking off enemy targets around the entrance to the encampment.
See also: off, pick
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pick someone or something off (of) someone or something

 and pick someone or something off
to pull or gather someone or something off something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The teacher picked the little boys off the jungle gym and hurried them back into the school building before the storm hit. Pick off the ripe tomatoes and leave the rest.
See also: off, pick
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

pick off

Shoot after singling out, as in The hunter picked off the ducks one by one. [Early 1800s]
See also: off, pick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

pick off

v.
1. To remove or pluck something from a surface: I picked off the price tag before wrapping the gift. We picked the dead leaves off the plant.
2. To shoot and kill something or someone with a gun, especially from a distance: The hunter picked the ducks off one by one. The sniper picked off an enemy soldier.
3. Baseball To throw the ball to an occupied base and put out a runner who is taking a lead: The catcher picked off the runner as he was trying to steal a base. The runner took a big lead, and the pitcher picked her off at first base.
4. Sports To intercept something, as a pass in American football: The cornerback picked off an errant pass and ran it back for a touchdown. The quarterback threw a low pass and a linebacker picked it off.
See also: off, pick
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • pick out
  • pick up
  • picked
  • pick from
  • have (someone or something) on (one's) hands
  • brick -and-mortar
  • brick-and-mortar
  • fly in
  • be sure to (do something)
  • be sure to do something
References in periodicals archive
Richards, who scored twice at Sheffield United in the first round, said: "We're trying to pick off all the Yorkshire teams at the moment." Darlington's Gary Smith missed a penalty as the Quakers crashed to their fifth successive defeat.
Marc orders Shef special; COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO
Pick off affected leaves and burn them ( and in future do this as soon as they are seen in late summer or autumn.
Stamp it out: holly leaf miner
'They would take to the hills and pick off enemies as they have always defeated invaders.''
Taliban fighters will not be easy to beat
The SP can then aggressively come across and pick off the return.
Winning Free Points in Doubles
Richards, who scored twice at Sheffield United in the first round, said: "We're trying to pick off all the Yorkshire teams at the moment." Darlington midfielder Gary Smith missed a penalty as the Quakers crashed to their fifth successive defeat.
Marc orders Shef special; COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO
Galway, who saw Michael Meehan, Ja Fallon and Nicky Joyce pick off early points, were clearly rattled but Joe Bergin and Niall Coleman got an edge in midfield and the crisis was averted.
Gaelic Football: TRIBE SURVIVE LATE SCARE AGAINST RIDGE
Arsenal's deadly counter attacking play can pick off a buoyant Wigan and earn them an away win.
Football: TEAM NEWS : Wigan v Arsenal
But if Jen, 35, is going to stick to her Atkins diet, she'll have to pick off all the toppings and throw the crust in the bin.
3am: Take it away
Pick off faded daffodil heads, leaving the flower stems in place if possible.
Gardening: MUST DOs
THE Islamic extremists and their fellow travellers pick off Coalition troops and UN personnel daily in Iraq while at home we remain on high terror alert.
Mirror M@ilbox: Crush the terrorists