cherrypick
cherrypick Lexical Profile
cherrypick Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To selectively choose the most beneficial, profitable, or favorable items, facts, or opportunities from what is available, often unfairly or to the exclusion of less desirable ones.
"Critics accused the researchers of attempting to cherrypick data that supported their original hypothesis while ignoring contradictory results."
North American To linger near the opponent's goal in a team sport (such as basketball or ice hockey) in order to receive easy passes and score without participating in defense.
"The coach benched the forward for continuing to cherrypick at the far end of the court instead of helping the team defend."
Word Nuance & Usage
More commonly hyphenated as 'cherry-pick', this verb typically carries a critical connotation, implying that someone is unfairly ignoring unfavorable evidence or responsibilities.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-20th century, the term alludes to the harvesting of cherries, where pickers carefully select only the ripest, most desirable fruit from the tree while leaving the rest behind.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.