pick at

Verb (3)

1. pluck or pull at with the fingers“She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse”Synonyms: pick atpluck atpull at
2. eat like a bird“The anorexic girl just picks at her food”Synonyms: pick atpeck atpeck
3. express a negative opinion of“She disparaged her student's efforts”Synonyms: disparagebelittlepick at