Pick someone's brain
Meaning
To ask someone for information or ideas because they know a lot about a particular subject.
Origin
While the image of 'picking' a brain sounds rather macabre, its origins are entirely metaphorical, emerging in the English language during the 17th century. The verb 'to pick' at that time carried a broader meaning of carefully selecting, extracting, or gleaning something valuable, much like one might 'pick a lock' or 'pick berries' for the best ones. When combined with 'brain,' the phrase powerfully conveyed the act of carefully extracting knowledge, ideas, or insights from someone considered a valuable source. It was a vivid, if slightly intense, way of describing the meticulous process of drawing out profound thoughts, rather than merely having a chat.
Examples
- I need to pick Sarah's brain about the new marketing strategy; she's an expert in the field.
- Before you start your presentation, why don't you pick the professor's brain for some insights?