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pick up the pieces

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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.

See also: pick, piece, up

pick up the pieces

to try to get back to an ordinary way of life after a very bad experience Survivors of the mudslides are hoping to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. When their parents died, the grandparents had to pick up the pieces and care for the children.

See also: pick, piece, up

pick up the pieces

to try to get back to an ordinary way of life after a difficult experience After Ruth's death, Joe found it hard to pick up the pieces and carry on with his life.

See also: pick, piece, up

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]

See also: pick, piece, up