Pronunciation: [pˈɪks ˈɒf] (IPA) 
The phrase "picks off" is spelled with the letter "p" followed by the sounds "ɪks" and "ɒf." The "p" is pronounced with a puff of air, as in "pat" or "pen." The "ɪks" sound is a combination of the "ih" as in "sit" and the "ks" sound, as in "box." The "ɒf" sound is pronounced with a short "ah" sound and the "f" sound, as in "off" or "often." Together, they create the meaning of "removing or stealing something one by one."
"Picks off" is a phrasal verb that has multiple dictionary definitions depending on the context in which it is used.
One meaning of "picks off" is related to the act of selecting or choosing someone or something from a group or list. In this sense, it implies the process of carefully selecting or isolating individual elements from a larger set. For example, a recruiter might pick off the most qualified candidates from a pool of job applicants.
Another definition of "picks off" is associated with the action of removing or plucking something, typically in a gradual and systematic manner. This can refer to physically picking off objects, such as fruits from a tree or insects from a plant, or figuratively, as in picking off opponents one by one in a competition or a battle.
Additionally, "picks off" can be used in specific contexts like sports or activities involving targets. It signifies the act of accurately hitting or shooting successive targets while maintaining precision. For instance, a skilled archer may pick off targets one by one, hitting each with high accuracy.
Overall, "picks off" encompasses the acts of selecting, removing, plucking, or hitting targets successively and precisely, depending on the specific context in which it is utilized.
The phrase "picks off" originates from the combination of two words: "pick" and "off".
The word "pick" has a diverse etymology. It can be traced back to the Old English word "pyccan", which means "to prick" or "to pierce". This evolved into the Middle English word "piken", signifying "to pick" or "to pluck". Over time, "pick" gained various meanings, encompassing actions such as selecting, harvesting, or removing.
The word "off" comes from the Old English word "of", meaning "from" or "away from". It has maintained a similar meaning throughout its history, indicating separation or distance.
Combining these two words, "picks off" came to indicate the action of plucking or removing something from a group or collection.
