SLIM PICKINGS Meaning and
Definition
-
Slim pickings is an idiomatic expression primarily used in informal contexts to describe a situation where the available options or choices are extremely limited, inadequate, or unsatisfactory. The phrase originated from the practice of picking fruit from a tree or plant, where a bountiful harvest would yield numerous ripe fruits that are easy to collect, while a meager harvest would provide only a few, often unripe or spoiled fruits that are difficult to gather.
In a figurative sense, slim pickings expresses disappointment or frustration regarding the scarcity or lack of desirable alternatives. It implies that the available options are unappealing, leaving one with little or no choice. For instance, if a person is searching for a job in an industry experiencing an economic downturn, they might encounter slim pickings as there are very few job openings. Similarly, when browsing through a poorly stocked store, one might encounter slim pickings due to the limited variety of products.
This phrase can also be used to describe a situation when resources are scarce, limited, or running out. This could include situations such as a dwindling food supply, a declining availability of natural resources, or a shortage of qualified candidates for a particular position.
Overall, slim pickings conveys the idea of a lack of options or scarcity, highlighting the undesirable nature of the choices available in a given situation.
Common Misspellings for SLIM PICKINGS
Etymology of SLIM PICKINGS
The phrase "slim pickings" originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. The term "pickings" refers to items or things that are picked, chosen, or selected. "Slim" in this context means meager or limited. It is believed to have derived from the practice of gathering or harvesting crops, where people would go through the harvested fields and pick the crops that were left behind. Therefore, "slim pickings" originally referred to a situation where there was a scarcity or a lack of available choices or options. Over time, it has come to be widely used to describe any situation where the available options or prospects are limited or insufficient.
