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Pick holes

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Pick holes|Idiomatic Phrase|To find faults, errors, or weaknesses in arguments, plans, or work; involves critical scrutiny aimed at identifying flaws or inconsistencies.

Detailed Definition
Pick holes means to criticise by finding faults, weaknesses, inconsistencies, or small defects. In poetry, the idiom can describe hostile reading, sceptical analysis, family complaint, legal argument, or self-doubt. The image suggests fabric being punctured, so criticism becomes an act that weakens a surface. It may be necessary for truth, or petty when driven by malice. A poet can use it to explore the difference between careful critique and destructive fault-finding, especially in relation to art, love, and belief.
Example
Example in poetry:
A critical poem might say the scholar picks holes in every metaphor but never hears the music; In comic verse, an aunt picks holes in the wedding until the bride laughs; The phrase means to find faults or weaknesses; A poet can use it to characterise severity or scepticism.
Additional Notes
Pick holes means find faults, weaknesses, or inconsistencies in an argument, plan, or text. In poetry criticism, the phrase can describe close scrutiny, but it may also imply ungenerous nit-picking. The image suggests puncturing a surface until it leaks or fails. Students should ask whether fault-finding is rigorous reading, hostile criticism, or defensive evasion. It pairs well with fabric, nets, arguments, and fragile claims.
Also Known As
criticize
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