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]

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Example Sentences

Bosnia were allowed to grow into the game, equalised from a late corner and won the shootout, leaving Wales to pick up the pieces after missing out on a second successive major tournament on penalties.

From BBC

Miss Mathis told me, “If you’ll make up a bill of sale, I’ll send someone over to deliver the payment and to pick up the pieces.”

From Literature

Washington will need to pick up the pieces and create something new.

From The Wall Street Journal

I go pick up the pieces he threw.

From Literature

Sir Chris attacked the way children are targeted with "pretty aggressive marketing" of junk food which drives obesity and left the health service "having to pick up the pieces for the rest of that child's life".

From BBC