hand-picked

The farmer sells hand-picked strawberries at the market.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Selected with great care: "hand-picked" describes something chosen personally and carefully, as if by hand, implying a high level of discrimination or preference.
   • Chosen for a specific purpose: It often refers to individuals or items selected for their exceptional qualities or suitability.

Usage Examples

• (Experts were chosen personally for their skills.)
• (The wines were selected with great care.)
• (The jurors were chosen deliberately for the case.)

Advanced Usage

• "hand-picked successor": a successor chosen deliberately by a leader or authority.

  • The CEO announced his hand-picked successor to ensure continuity. (The successor was personally selected by the CEO.)

• "hand-picked delegation": a group of representatives chosen carefully for a mission.

  • The hand-picked delegation attended the peace talks. (The members were selected for their diplomatic skills.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hand-pick (verb): to select personally and carefully.

  • The manager will hand-pick the candidates for the project. (The manager will choose them individually.)

• Hand-picking (gerund/noun): the act of selecting with care.

  • Hand-picking the ingredients ensures the dish's quality. (The careful selection process is crucial.)

Synonyms

• Selected: chosen from a group.
• Chosen: picked out as the best or most suitable.
• Curated: carefully selected and organized (often used for collections).

Related Idioms

• Pick and choose: to select only the best or most desirable.

  • She can pick and choose which projects to work on. (She selects selectively.)

• The pick of the bunch: the best among a group.

  • This candidate is the pick of the bunch. (The best of the applicants.)