What does the idiom "to pick away at sth." mean?

[rasmusonline]

According to this

http://lyrics.wikia.com/Nine_Inch_Nails:March_Of_The_Pigs

Thanks

 

[QuarterSwede]

I've never heard of it before.

 

[rasmusonline]

Ok thanks for your try then. 😉

 

[rasmusonline]

Anyone else?? WTF is going on, no native speakers here?? 😱

 

[anjinha]

pick something away
to pull or pinch something loose from something. Mary picked the meat away from the bones. He picked away the burrs.

 

[Rt&Dzine]

I don't see "to pick away at sth."

It says "to pick away at it"

 

[anjinha]

I don't see "to pick away at sth."

It says "to pick away at it"

"it" being "sth" or "something".

 

[Rt&Dzine]

"it" being "sth" or "something".

Ah, I see. You're teaching everyone sth. 🙂

 

[anjinha]

Ah, I see. You're teaching everyone sth. 🙂

And I'm not a native English speaker. 😀

 

[Sydde]

And I'm not a native English speaker. 😀

No, you are merely amazing

 

[nospeed411]

could someone please explain where all the normal people are??.....I seem to be stuck in a thread full of weirdo's😕😕😕

 

[MacDawg]

And I'm not a native English speaker. 😀

I don't think that is English

 

[Rt&Dzine]

could someone please explain where all the normal people are??.....I seem to be stuck in a thread full of weirdo's😕😕😕

The iPhone section is in a different area.

 

[steve2112]

It's actually "pick away at the Sith". Those Jedi are always trying to "pick away", or get rid of the Sith Lords. It seems the Jedi were a bit upset about Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader's whole "kill all the Jedi" plan.

 

[Eldiablojoe]

"I got a whole bag of "sth" here with your name on it." - Dr. Evil.

 

[tkermit]

edit: never mind...

 

[ucfgrad93]

It's actually "pick away at the Sith". Those Jedi are always trying to "pick away", or get rid of the Sith Lords. It seems the Jedi were a bit upset about Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader's whole "kill all the Jedi" plan.

Sounds good to me!😀

 

[rasmusonline]

So in conclusion "to pick away at sth." means "to get rid of sth." ???

 

[snberk103]

So in conclusion "to pick away at sth." means "to get rid of sth." ???

Is that when the sth htz teh fna?