pick up the pieces

Idioms  

1. 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]

---

Example Sentences

Now it’s up to Brady and Spytek—who were together in Tampa Bay when won his final championship with the Buccaneers—to pick up the pieces.

From The Wall Street Journal

Legendary Celtic boss Martin O'Neill returned as interim manager to pick up the pieces and led the team to five straight league wins, closing the gap at the top.

From BBC

On the ground, however, there remains a sense of unity as Sri Lankans pick up the pieces after the floods.

From BBC

We don’t know if Dusty’s voice is noticeably hushed because of his recent tragedy, but as he tries to pick up the pieces, this lonesome cowboy drifts through his days, doing his best to pretend he’s holding up OK.

From Los Angeles Times

The accident shook him mentally and physically but he began to pick up the pieces this year.

From Barron's