pick up the pieces
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pick up the pieces
To try to return a situation to normality after a tragedy or trauma. After our son committed suicide, we were left to pick up the pieces in a silent home. Now, 10 days since the hurricane made landfall, residents are struggling to pick up the pieces.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
pick up the pieces
(of something)1. Lit. to gather up each piece or part. Norma picked up the pieces of the broken lamp. She stooped down to pick up the pieces.
2. Fig. to try to repair emotional, financial, or other damage done to one's life. I need some time to pick up the pieces of my life after the accident. After a while, Fred was able to pick up the pieces and carry on.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pick up the pieces
Redeem a bad situation, restore matters to normal, as in Once fighting ended, the task force picked up the pieces and restored democracy. [Late 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pick up the pieces
COMMON If you pick up the pieces after something bad has happened, you do what you can to get the situation back to normal. He helped me pick up the pieces of my shattered career and finances. People in the high desert communities are picking up the pieces after last night's earthquake.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
pick up the pieces
restore your life or a situation to a more normal state, typically after a shock or disaster.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
pick up the ˈpieces
do what you can to get your life, a situation, etc. back to normal after a disaster, shock, etc: After his son was killed in a car accident, it took him a long time to pick up the pieces. ♢ It’s always the same with her husband. He upsets everyone and then leaves her to pick up the pieces.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017