pick a fight vs pick an argument

Both 'pick a fight' and 'pick an argument' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in different contexts. 'Pick a fight' is commonly used to mean starting a physical or verbal confrontation, while 'pick an argument' is used to mean starting a disagreement or dispute. They are not interchangeable as they convey different meanings.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 883 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean starting a physical or verbal confrontation.

"pick a fight"

This phrase is used when someone intentionally starts a conflict or confrontation with another person, either physically or verbally.

Examples:

He always tries to pick a fight with his classmates.
I don't want to pick a fight with you, but I disagree with your opinion.
She tends to pick a fight whenever she's in a bad mood.
He picked a fight with the wrong person this time.
Don't pick a fight with someone who is much stronger than you.

Show examples from the web [+]

pick a fight (with someone). and pick a quarrel (with someone). to start a fight or argument with someone on purpose. Are you trying to pick a fight with me? Max intended to pick a quarrel with Lefty. See also: fight, pick. McGraw-Hill Dictionary ...
To open (a lock) without the use of a key. 11. To provoke: pick a fight. 12. Music. a . To pluck (an instrument's strings). b. To play (an instrument) by plucking its strings. c. To play (a tune) in this manner: picked a melody out on the guitar. v.intr. 1.
Nobunaga threw away the food that Mitsuhide had laboriously prepared, saying that it was rotten, to pick a fight with Mitsuhide, who had been asked to prepare some Kyoto cooking for the banquet in Azuchi-jo Castle held to reward the efforts ...
Talk or behave in such a way as to provoke a fight or argument: it wasn't in his nature to pick a fight with anyone. More example sentences. 'If they want to pick a fight, they've picked a fight with the wrong guy,' he said in a telephone interview.

Alternatives:

start a fight
get into a fight
provoke a fight
initiate a fight
engage in a fight

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean starting a disagreement or dispute.

"pick an argument"

This phrase is used when someone intentionally starts a verbal disagreement or dispute with another person.

Examples:

She always manages to pick an argument at family gatherings.
I don't want to pick an argument with you, but I have a different perspective.
He tends to pick an argument over the smallest things.
She picked an argument with her boss and regretted it later.
Don't pick an argument with someone who is very stubborn.

Show examples from the web [+]

pick an argument. star. see definition of pick an argument. Font size. X. Aa. Aa. Aa. Aa. Aa. show. all, verb. as in argue ... Synonyms for pick an argument. verb verbally fight. contendstar · disagreestar · disputestar · quarrelstar · quibblestar ...
Also, pick an argument or fight . Seek an opportunity to quarrel or argue with someone. For example, I don't want to pick a quarrel with you, or Jason was always in trouble for picking fights. These terms use pick in the sense of "select.
... Pick A Brick; pick a fight; pick a lock · pick a quarrel · pick a quarrel · pick a quarrel · pick a quarrel · pick a quarrel · pick a quarrel · pick an argument · pick and choose · pick and choose · pick and choose · pick and choose · pick and choose ...
Also, pick an argument or fight . Seek an opportunity to quarrel or argue with someone. For example, I don't want to pick a quarrel with you, or Jason was always in trouble for picking fights. These terms use pick in the sense of "select.

Alternatives:

start an argument
get into an argument
provoke an argument
initiate an argument
engage in an argument

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pick a fight vs pick an argument

"pick a fight"

"pick an argument"

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