pickings

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   things available to be taken, chosen, or gained, especially when few or of limited value

   By evening the market offered only slim pickings.

2. 2
   noun

   profits or benefits obtained from an activity, sometimes dishonestly

   The gang divided the pickings after the robbery.

The plural noun developed from picking, the action of selecting or taking. It came to mean items or profits available to be picked up, especially in the phrases easy pickings and slim pickings.

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