pick to pieces

Some GOP lawmakers and strategists worry about rolling out a plan that has no chance of passage in the current Congress and that Democrats could pick to pieces during a long campaign.

Pick to pieces, to tear asunder: to damage, as character; Pick up, to improve gradually: to gain strength bit by bit: to take into a vehicle, or into one's company: to get as if by chance.—adj. gathered together by chance.

Cut potatoes in cubes, remove bones from herring and cut in small pieces or pick to pieces, add onions and let stand on ice till ready to serve, cover with sweet cream and season with salt and pepper.—Mrs.

I never preached a sermon yet that I could not pick to pieces and find fault with.

Tempt your parrot with English walnuts, bits of apple and pear, and canary and hemp seed, and also give it a red pepper to pick to pieces.