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pick out

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pick someone or something out (for someone or something)

to choose someone or something to serve as someone or something. I picked one of the new people out for Santa Claus this year. I picked out several large potatoes for the stew.

See also: out, pick

pick out somebody/something

also pick somebody/something out

1. to choose someone or something instead of others The writer picked out certain things about the event that he thought were important. His boss picked him out for an assignment in Japan.

2. to find someone or something in a group The upgrade will increase the telescope's ability to pick out individual objects in space. He was so tall, it was easy to pick him out in the crowd.

See also: out, pick

pick out

1. Choose, select, as in She picked out the best piece of fabric. [Early 1500s]

2. Distinguish, discern from one's surroundings, as in They managed to pick out their mother from the crowd. [Mid-1500s]

3. Identify the notes of a tune and play it on an instrument, as in When she was four she could pick out folk songs on the piano. [Late 1800s]

See also: out, pick

pick out

v.

1. To choose something or someone from a set of options; select something or someone: We went to the video store and picked out a movie to watch. I picked this fabric out because it was the most colorful.

2. To discern something or someone from the surroundings; distinguish something or someone: From the plane, she was able to pick out her house on the ground. The victim picked his attacker out of the lineup.

3. To play a piece of music tentatively, especially on a guitar or piano: He picked out the song on the guitar, trying to remember the notes. I hummed the tune for her, and she picked it out on the piano.

See also: out, pick