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
Its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival brought a rousing ovation — maybe that metric does hold some water — and mixed reviews that picked apart the film’s pacing and characterization and the audacity of ending with a Lord Bryon quote over one from Shelley.
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Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Senior State’s Attorney Russell Zentner spent hours in Rockville Superior Court trying to pick apart the legal opinion of Michael Fitzpatrick.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
After critics picked apart her appearance during the 2015 Wimbledon tennis tournament, Williams took to social media and retorted with a carefree beach selfie.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
When the Bills are on offense, the health of Kincaid and the emergence of Cooks can contribute against a zone-heavy Jaguars defense that can be picked apart through the air.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick apart
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Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026
Senior State’s Attorney Russell Zentner spent hours in Rockville Superior Court trying to pick apart the legal opinion of Michael Fitzpatrick.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
After critics picked apart her appearance during the 2015 Wimbledon tennis tournament, Williams took to social media and retorted with a carefree beach selfie.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
When the Bills are on offense, the health of Kincaid and the emergence of Cooks can contribute against a zone-heavy Jaguars defense that can be picked apart through the air.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick apart
Cite this Entry
“Pick apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20apart. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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