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to nitpick

to nitpick

21 5.7
To complain about very small unimportant mistakes
  • verb
  • /ˈnɪtˌpɪk/
translation icon : buscar defectos
  • You can't go through life nitpicking every little thing.
  • every little nitpicking
  • want to nitpick
  • nitpick things

I didn't know that I was to nitpick your makeup.

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Examples

  • Honestly, what's the point of nitpicking a win like this?

    Blog text (16)
  • Let's not nitpick.

  • And I found that really helps me nitpick what I was doing wrong with my boxing.

  • I thought it was kind of silly to nitpick.

  • I'm not trying to nitpick, but I think we ought to remain honest here.

    Blog text (7)
  • Um, Roger, not to nitpick, but I think your math is off by a factor of 1,000.

    Blog text (2)
  • Why must you nitpick?

  • Don't nitpick!

  • I try not to nitpick during meetings because it slows down the decision-making process.

  • It's unproductive to nitpick over small mistakes when the project is otherwise progressing well.

Synonyms

to gripe
vsto nitpick
  • Informal
38 5.6

To complain repeatedly about small things

is more about pointing small picky faults rather than general complaining
to quibble
vsto nitpick
26 7.0

To argue about small unimportant details to avoid the main point

does this but with extra focus on small picky details
to split hairs
vsto nitpick
  • Informal
15 6.8

Argue about very small differences that do not matter

is similar but centers on tiny errors rather than broader faults
to find fault
vsto nitpick
15 4.4

To say something is wrong or not good, often about small things

focuses more specifically on tiny petty details rather than general mistakes
to pick apart
vsto nitpick
  • Informal
14 5.2

To find faults in ideas or work by pointing out small problems

focuses more narrowly on tiny unimportant faults rather than broad critique
to whinge
vsto nitpick
  • UK
5 8.1

To complain in an annoying way about small things

is similar but usually stresses finding small picky faults rather than whining
to pick at
vsto nitpick
3 5.7

Keep finding small faults in someone or their ideas

does the same but with closer attention to minute faults
to niggle
vsto nitpick
  • UK
1 8.2

To argue about very small, unimportant details

is more focused on finding tiny faults repeatedly
to cavil
vsto nitpick
1 9.9

To complain about small unimportant details

is more obsessive about tiny trivial faults rather than larger issues

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Critical

to split hairs
  • Informal
15 6.8
to nitpick
21 5.7
to carp
5 7.9
to find fault
15 4.4
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

nitpick infinitive
nitpicked past
nitpicked past participle
nitpicking present participle
nitpicks third person singular

Morphology

nitpick = nit + pick (semi-transparent) = nit + pick

The compound literally means 'to pick nits' (pick out tiny things), but the metaphorical sense 'criticize trivial details' relies on knowledge of 'nit' and the idiomatic metaphor, so it may not be obvious to all learners.

Etymology

The word nitpick comes from the old action of picking out a nit, which is a 'tiny egg' of a small insect, and the pick part means 'to take out'. So to nitpick now is to look for or complain about very small or unimportant faults.