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 wooden-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

:  a distinct treatment or variation

:  an act or the action of taking: such as

:  in or into a higher position or level

:  away from the center of the earth

:  from beneath the ground or water to the surface

:  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

:  a dull season or period

:  a pass between hills

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