pick/take up the slack

: to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument

: to remove bit by bit

: to remove covering or adhering matter from

: a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument

: the act or privilege of choosing or selecting : choice

: the best or choicest one

: a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock

: toothpick

: picklock

: to throw or thrust with effort : hurl

: to throw (a shuttle) across the loom

: the act of pitching or throwing

: something thrown

: a throw of the shuttle

: to get into one's hands or into one's possession, power, or control: such as

: to seize or capture physically

: to get possession of (fish or game) by killing or capturing

: a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment

: an act or the action of taking: such as

: the uninterrupted photographing or televising of a scene

: in or into a higher position or level

: from beneath the ground or water to the surface

: from below the horizon

: risen above the horizon

: standing

: being out of bed

used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of

: up into or in the

: in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of

: one in a high or advantageous position

: an upward slope

: a period or state of prosperity or success

: to rise from a lying or sitting position

: to move upward : ascend

used with and and another verb to indicate that the action of the following verb was either surprisingly or abruptly initiated

: not using due diligence, care, or dispatch : negligent

: characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy

: moderate in some quality

: to be or become slack

: to shirk or evade work or duty

: to be slack or negligent in performing or doing

: cessation in movement or flow

: a part of something that hangs loose without strain

: trousers especially for casual wear

: a pass between hills

: the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned