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
That’s why California policymakers are increasingly counting on battery storage, which emits no carbon dioxide, to pick up the slack.
—
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
The offense, slow to pick up the slack these last three weeks, is finally showing up, as well.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Starters haven’t pitched deep consistently all season, and with the way the injury bug has hit the rotation, the Mets have needed relievers to pick up the slack.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Other middle-of-the-order bats — from current NL batting leader Will Smith, to June player of the month candidate Max Muncy and rising second-year star Andy Pages — have helped pick up the slack.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pick/take up the slack
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
The offense, slow to pick up the slack these last three weeks, is finally showing up, as well.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Starters haven’t pitched deep consistently all season, and with the way the injury bug has hit the rotation, the Mets have needed relievers to pick up the slack.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
Other middle-of-the-order bats — from current NL batting leader Will Smith, to June player of the month candidate Max Muncy and rising second-year star Andy Pages — have helped pick up the slack.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pick/take up the slack
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 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share