How Do You Spell PECKING AT?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛkɪŋ at] (IPA)

The phrase "pecking at" is spelled /ˈpɛkɪŋ æt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "pek" is pronounced with a short 'e' sound followed by a hard 'k'. The second syllable "ing" is pronounced with a long 'i' sound followed by a soft 'ng' sound. The final word "at" is pronounced with a short 'a' sound followed by a hard 't' sound. This phrase is often used to describe birds pecking at food or animals pecking at each other.

PECKING AT Meaning and Definition

1. The term "pecking at" refers to the action of repeatedly striking or picking at something with a beak or similar sharp object. It is commonly used to describe the behavior of birds while foraging or feeding. This repetitive pecking motion may involve tapping or probing at various surfaces in order to extract food or investigate items of interest.

   In a literal sense, pecking at can refer to the specific feeding behavior of birds, particularly those with beaks adapted for this purpose. Birds often peck at the ground to uncover insects, seeds, or other edible items. They may also peck at trees or plants to access fruits or sap. This action can be observed in both wild birds searching for sustenance in their natural habitats and domesticated birds when provided with outdoor foraging opportunities.

   Metaphorically, "pecking at" can be applied to human behavior as well. It can describe the act of persistently picking at or criticizing something or someone, often in a repetitive or nagging manner. This figurative usage implies a continual but somewhat ineffective effort to address or resolve an issue, often resulting in irritation or annoyance for the parties involved.

   Overall, "pecking at" encompasses both the literal activity of birds tapping or probing for food and the metaphorical concept of persistent, often unproductive criticism.

Common Misspellings for PECKING AT

• oecking at
• lecking at
• -ecking at
• 0ecking at
• pwcking at
• pscking at
• pdcking at
• prcking at
• p4cking at
• p3cking at
• pexking at
• pevking at
• pefking at
• pedking at
• pecjing at
• pecming at
• pecling at
• pecoing at
• peciing at
• peckung at

Etymology of PECKING AT

The etymology of the phrase "pecking at" can be traced back to the Old English word "peccan" which meant "to prick" or "to jab". Over time, it evolved to mean "to nibble or bite small pieces", particularly used in reference to birds using their beak. The phrase "pecking at" combines this notion of birds pecking with the preposition "at", indicating the specific target or subject they are pecking. The phrase has since expanded beyond its literal sense to describe behaviors such as picking at food, criticizing, or teasing.