pick at

US /pɪk æt/
UK /pɪk æt/
"pick at" picture
1.

herumstochern, lustlos essen

eat food slowly and without much enthusiasm

:
She was so upset that she could only pick at her dinner.
Sie war so aufgeregt, dass sie nur an ihrem Abendessen herumstochern konnte.
He's been picking at his food all evening.
Er hat den ganzen Abend an seinem Essen herumgestochert.
2.

kritisieren, herumhacken auf

criticize someone or something repeatedly, especially in a petty or annoying way

:
She's always picking at his grammar.
Sie kritisiert immer seine Grammatik.
Don't pick at every little mistake I make.
Kritisiere nicht jeden kleinen Fehler, den ich mache.