The phrase "picked brains" refers to the action of gathering information from someone’s mind by asking them a lot of questions. The word "picked" is pronounced /pɪkt/ and "brains" is pronounced /breɪnz/. The spelling of "picked" is straightforward, as it follows the typical pronunciation of the word. "Brains" is spelled with an "ai" combination, which represents the diphthong /eɪ/ sound, often found in words like pain, train, and rain. Combined, the phrase "picked brains" sounds like /pɪkt breɪnz/.
Picked brains is a colloquial expression consisting of the verb "pick" and the noun "brains." It refers to the act of seeking advice, knowledge, or insights from someone who is considered knowledgeable or experienced in a particular field. The phrase implies a desire to extract valuable information or ideas from another person's mind, as if picking their brain to gain valuable insights.
When someone says they are going to "pick someone's brains," it means they intend to engage in a conversation or seek advice from that person, aiming to tap into their knowledge and expertise. This expression often suggests a deep level of discussion or inquiry, as the person doing the picking is hoping to access a wealth of information or experience that the other person possesses.
The motive behind picking someone's brains is typically driven by the quest for understanding, learning, or solving a problem. This could be done professionally, such as seeking advice from a seasoned colleague, or personally, by asking for a friend's perspective or seeking guidance from a mentor.
Ultimately, the expression "picked brains" conveys the idea of extracting valuable knowledge and insights from someone with expertise or experience in a particular area or subject matter by engaging in meaningful conversation or seeking guidance.
The phrase "picked brains" does not have a specific etymology on its own. However, it is likely derived from the figurative meaning of the word "pick", which means to extract or gather information from someone's brain or mind. This action of "picking" someone's brain implies the act of gathering or extracting knowledge, insights, or ideas from someone else, often through extensive questioning or discussion. The usage of this phrase is idiomatic and not related to any historical or etymological origin.