nitpick — to criticize someone or something for small, unimportant details; to find fault with minor issues
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to criticize someone or something for small, unimportant details; to find fault with minor issues
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnɪtpɪk/
Example Sentences
- My boss loves to nitpick every comma in my reports, but ignores the brilliant ideas inside.
- She's always nitpicking her husband's cooking, even though she can't boil water herself.
- The editor's tendency to nitpick actually improved the quality of the final manuscript.
nitpick
VERB[/ˈnɪtpɪk/]
to criticize someone or something for small, unimportant details; to find fault with minor issues
The manager loves to nitpick every tiny detail on the report.
She'll nitpick with a toothpick, then nitpick her lipstick!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the phrase 'nit-picking,' where 'nit' refers to the egg of a louse. The term originated in the 1500s, comparing the tedious task of removing lice eggs from hair to finding and criticizing trivial faults.
Breakdown
nit (louse egg) + pick (to select or remove) = nitpick (to remove or focus on small, trivial details)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss loves to nitpick every comma in my reports, but ignores the brilliant ideas inside.”
“She's always nitpicking her husband's cooking, even though she can't boil water herself.”
“The editor's tendency to nitpick actually improved the quality of the final manuscript.”
“Instead of nitpicking the proposal, let's focus on its overall feasibility.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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