pick at pick at /pɪk æt/

verb

1. () Pluck or pull at with the fingers  ( pluck at , pull at , pick at )
   pluck or pull at with the fingers
    She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse
   She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse
   
2. Express a negative opinion of  ( belittle , disparage , pick at )
   express a negative opinion of
    She disparaged her student's efforts
   She disparaged her student's efforts
   
3. Eat like a bird  ( peck , peck at , pick at )
   eat like a bird
    The anorexic girl just picks at her food
   The anorexic girl just picks at her food