pick someone's brains

The expression pick someone's brains is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the pick someone's brains idiom.

Meaning of "pick someone's brains"

Meaning

The phrase “pick someone’s brain” is used to describe the act of asking someone to provide you with information, advice or knowledge. It implies an informal discussion or exchange of ideas, and is often used as a way of gaining insights or advice from someone who is more knowledgeable than you. It can also be used to ask a person who may have more experience in a certain area than you do.

Etymology

The phrase “pick someone’s brain” dates back to the late 19th century. It first appeared in print in 1871, in a newspaper article from the Australian Town and Country Journal. It is thought to have originated from the phrase “pick a man’s brains” which was used to describe the act of seeking information from a person who is more knowledgeable than oneself. This phrase was originally used as a metaphor for “picking apart” someone’s knowledge and ideas, as if they were an object or a piece of fruit.

Usage

The phrase “pick someone’s brain” is a commonly used phrase in English and is used in both formal and informal contexts. It is used to describe the act of asking someone for their insights or advice on a certain topic. It can also be used to ask someone who is more experienced in a particular field for their opinion on a certain issue. It can be used both in conversation and in formal writing.

Example Sentences

• I am looking to start my own business but I don't know where to begin. I think I need to pick someone's brain and get some advice.
• I was hoping to pick your brain and get some advice on how to start a successful blog.
• I want to write a book on economics and I need to pick the brains of some experts in the field.

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.