"Picking nits" is an expression that means to focus on small and insignificant details, often to an excessive or unnecessary extent. Synonyms for this phrase include "nitpicking," "petty criticism," "hair-splitting," "quibbling," and "caviling." These words all share the common theme of overly focusing on minor details and usually imply that the person doing so is being overly critical or overly precise. While attention to detail can be important in many situations, "picking nits" often refers to a behavior that is unproductive and ultimately distracts from more important matters.