pick at

Verb

• express a negative opinion of
  • She disparaged her student's efforts
    

• eat like a bird
  • The anorexic girl just picks at her food
    

• pluck or pull at with the fingers
  • She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  disparage , belittle , peck at , peck , pluck at , pull at
• Antonyms: 
  flatter , blandish