pick up the pieces
To restore one's life (or a given situation etc.) to a normal state, after a calamity, shock etc.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“After the fire, they had to pick up the pieces.”
“The company went bankrupt last year, and now the employees are trying to pick up the pieces and find new jobs.”
“Following the sudden collapse of their long-term partnership, she spent months trying to pick up the pieces of her professional life while managing the emotional fallout.”
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captain's pick
A decision made by a leader without consulting others.
- 02
chess piece
A person being manipulated by another, being used to some end.
- 03
cut to pieces
To utterly defeat or overwhelm.
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give someone a piece of one's mind
To express one's opinion strongly; to voice one's disagreement or dissatisfaction, especially with another person; to scold or rebuke someone.
- 05
have a bone to pick
To have a complaint or grievance (with somebody); to have a contentious issue to discuss.
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pick apart
To review or analyse in great detail
- 07
pick at
To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers.
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pick corners
To choose a preference (as in predicting which boxer will win a match).
Last updated August 10, 2026