Cherry-pick

Quick meaning: Cherry-pick is a verb meaning (rhetoric, logic, by extension) To select only evidence which supports an argument, and reject or ignore contradictory evidence.

Meaning

(rhetoric, logic, by extension) To select only evidence which supports an argument, and reject or ignore contradictory evidence.

More Meanings

1. (US, idiomatic, broadcasting) To broadcast selected programming from another network.
2. (software engineering) In source control, to commit selected changes from one branch to another.
3. (idiomatic) To pick out the best or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.
4. (US, idiomatic, sports) To position oneself near the opponent's goal to attempt to receive an errant or intentional pass for an easy score, as in basketball or versions of soccer where offsides are not enforced.

Example Sentences

Screeners can help you cherry-pick a promising group of stocks that meet your exact specifications.

From all the available statistics, the politician cherry-picked only those that backed up his ideas.

"We're not offering you a chance to cherry-pick the Caerphilly Zoo to fill in the gaps in your own collection.

The situation became more acute as road competition began to grow during the 1930s. A national road network was built, and road hauliers could cherry-pick the most profitable movements.

Word Forms

• cherry-picks
• cherry-picking
• cherry-picked
• cherrypick

Synonyms for cherry-pick

Depending on context, synonyms include cull.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include outpick, sort, cream, handpick, cull, pick off.

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