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Difference between Pick something off and Pick something out

admin Confusing Phrases

pick something off—remove smth. by picking, scratching, or plucking:

  • Pick off all the feathers before you cook the duck.

pick something out—

1. = pick something off:

  • I was about to put the duck in boiling water in order to pick out the feathers….

2. choose smth. from a group:

  • We’ve picked out the best toys and trinkets to give to dad this holiday.

3. recognize or distinguish smth.:

  • Do you need a wide panorama, or would a telephoto be more useful to pick out distant detail?