pick/take up the slack

idiom

: to provide or do something that is missing or not getting done
The manager has to take up the slack when employees don't do their jobs correctly.
When he didn't get the pay raise he was expecting, he had to take another job to pick up the slack for more money.

Examples of pick/take up the slack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As other managers leave or are laid off, those who remain are often asked to pick up the slack, and there may be a lack of trust between bosses and their direct reports. Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 There’s nothing leftover to pay for after-school care for her two older boys or for more than a few weeks of camp each summer so Gray has to pick up the slack. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 When name-brand drugs are on the FDA shortage list, in some cases, other manufacturers may be allowed to make versions to pick up the slack. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024 Workloads at the factory have stressed employees, and those who haven't called out sick have to pick up the slack for their colleagues who have. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pick/take up the slack 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pick/take up the slack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near pick/take up the slack

pick/take up the gauntlet

pick/take up the slack

pickthank

Cite this Entry

“Pick/take up the slack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%2Ftake%20up%20the%20slack. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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