to shoot people, animals, or aircraft one by one by aiming at them carefully from a distance
He had made a mistake in trying to pick off two targets at the same time.
Long memories, yes, but they don't usually pick off unrelated targets.
Seems out of character and a bit early in the day to pick off ministers who've only just taken office.
`And if he hits the engine, there won't be anything left of us to pick off !
picks off
picking off
picked off
There is no origin for this phrasal verb
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