How Do You Spell PICK OFF?

Pronunciation: [pˈɪk ˈɒf] (IPA)

The phrase "pick off" is spelled using the IPA transcription /pɪk ɒf/. The "p" sound at the beginning is pronounced with a puff of air followed by the sound of lips coming together. The "i" is pronounced like the "i" in "bit", while the "o" is pronounced like the "o" in "off". The "ck" sound is pronounced like the "k" in "kite", and the "ff" at the end is pronounced with two sharp bursts of air. Together, these sounds create the word "pick off".

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
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PICK OFF Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "pick off" is a phrasal verb that has multiple meanings and applications across various contexts.

    In sports, particularly in baseball or cricket, "pick off" refers to the act of throwing out a base runner or batsman who has ventured too far away from the base or crease, respectively. It involves a fielder making a quick and accurate throw to a teammate, who then tags or stumps the runner out before they can return to safety. This tactic is often employed to prevent the opponent from advancing or scoring.

    In military or strategic terms, "pick off" refers to a targeted attack against individual members of a group or formation, rather than engaging the entire force. It often involves isolating and eliminating particular threats or high-value targets to disrupt the enemy's capabilities or morale.

    The term "pick off" can also be used metaphorically outside of sports or military contexts. In a general sense, it means to identify or choose one or a few items or individuals from a larger group. For instance, it can refer to selecting a particular option from various possibilities or separating specific elements from a whole.

    Overall, "pick off" encompasses the actions of taking out a base runner or batsman in sports, conducting targeted strikes in military operations, and selecting or isolating a specific entity from a broader group in various contexts.

Common Misspellings for PICK OFF

  • 0ick off
  • puck off
  • pjck off
  • pkck off
  • pock off
  • p9ck off
  • p8ck off
  • pixk off
  • pivk off
  • pifk off
  • pidk off
  • picj off
  • picm off
  • picl off
  • pico off
  • pici off
  • pick iff
  • pick kff
  • pick lff

Etymology of PICK OFF

The expression "pick off" can have multiple meanings and origins depending on the context. Here are two common ones:

1. In sports:

In sports such as baseball or cricket, "pick off" refers to when a fielder throws the ball to catch a baserunner or batsman off guard, resulting in them being put out. The word "pick" in this context comes from the verb "to pick" meaning "to choose" or "to select". Its origin is instinctively selecting someone or something individually. "Off" here refers to removing or eliminating the player or object from the game. Therefore, when a fielder "picks off" a player, they are singling them out to be eliminated from the current play or inning.

2. In sniper jargon:

Another use of "pick off" refers to a sniper shooting an individual target from a group or from a distance.

Idioms with the word PICK OFF

  • pick off The idiom "pick off" means to shoot or kill individual members of a group one by one, typically in a systematic or strategic manner. It can also refer to the act of targeting and removing someone or something from a larger group.

Similar spelling words for PICK OFF