Background for pettifog
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pettifog

/ˈpɛt.iˌfɒɡ/

Meanings
verb
To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick.

Examples :

"Instead of focusing on the important points of the project, he kept trying to pettifog over minor formatting details. "
attitude character word

Related Words

Illustration project

project noun

/ˈprɒdʒɛkt/ /prəˈdʒɛkt/

A planned endeavor, usually with a specific goal and accomplished in several steps or stages.

"The school's fundraising project aims to renovate the library in several stages. "

Illustration instead

instead adverb

/ɪnˈstɛd/

In the place of something (usually mentioned earlier); as a substitute or alternative.

"I was going to go shopping, but I went dancing instead."

Illustration important

important adjective

/ɪmˈpɔːtənt/ /ɪmˈpɔɹtənt/

Having relevant and crucial value.

"It is very important to give your daughter independence in her life so she learns from experience."

Illustration pettifogged

pettifogged verb

/ˈpɛtɪfɒɡd/ /ˈpɛtɪfɑːɡd/

To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick.

"Instead of working together on the project, they pettifogged over the font size and color choices for hours. "

Illustration nitpick

nitpick verb

/ˈnɪt.pɪk/

To correct minutiae or find fault in unimportant details.

"Someone will invariably nitpick about any spelling error posted to the forums."

Illustration focusing

focusing verb

/ˈfoʊkəsɪŋ/ /ˈfoʊkəsɪn/

(followed by on or upon) To concentrate one's attention.

"I have to focus on my work."

Illustration quibble

quibble noun

/ˈkwɪbəl/

A pun.

"His presentation was full of serious information, but he couldn't resist ending it with a silly quibble: "Lettuce turn over a new leaf!" "

Illustration business

business noun

/ˈbɪd.nəs/

A specific commercial enterprise or establishment.

"My uncle owns a small business selling handmade jewelry. "

Illustration formatting

formatting verb

/ˈfɔɹmætiŋ/

To create or edit the layout of a document.

"I am formatting the essay to make it easier to read by adding headings and spacing. "

Illustration trivial

trivial noun

/ˈtɹɪ.vi.əl/

Any of the three liberal arts forming the trivium.

"Grammar, rhetoric, and logic are the three triviums studied in the first year of the program. "

Illustration matters

matters noun

/ˈmætəz/ /ˈmætɚz/

Substance, material.

"The artist uses different matters, such as clay and wood, to create her sculptures. "

Illustration complicated

complicated verb

/ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtɪd/ /ˈkɑmplɪkeɪtɪd/

To make complex; to modify so as to make something intricate or difficult.

"The teacher complicated the math problem by adding several extra steps. "