Pick up the threads
idiom
To begin again or continue with something that has been neglected or interrupted.
When he returned from vacation, he found it difficult to pick up the threads of his research.
Often appears as...
- pick up the threads of life
- pick up the threads of conversation
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
To try to regain a situation that existed before something went wrong.
After the debacle, the company struggled to pick up the threads and regain their previous momentum.
Often appears as...
- pick up the threads of previous success
- pick up the threads of old habits
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
To begin again or continue with something that has been neglected or interrupted.
When he returned from vacation, he found it difficult to pick up the threads of his research.
Often appears as...
- pick up the threads of life
- pick up the threads of conversation
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
To try to regain a situation that existed before something went wrong.
After the debacle, the company struggled to pick up the threads and regain their previous momentum.
Often appears as...
- pick up the threads of previous success
- pick up the threads of old habits
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Rebuild After Pause
Used when restarting work or responsibilities after stopping for a while.
She had to pick up the threads of her project after her maternity leave.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Instant
It implies a process to get back on track, not an immediate switch.
It took him weeks to pick up the threads of his writing routine.
Pro Tip 3/3Continuity
Suggests a link with the past, resuming something previously started.
The team aimed to pick up the threads where the previous manager left off.
Pro Tip 1/3Rebuild After Pause
Used when restarting work or responsibilities after stopping for a while.
She had to pick up the threads of her project after her maternity leave.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Instant
It implies a process to get back on track, not an immediate switch.
It took him weeks to pick up the threads of his writing routine.
Pro Tip 3/3Continuity
Suggests a link with the past, resuming something previously started.
The team aimed to pick up the threads where the previous manager left off.
Pro Tip 1/3Rebuild After Pause
Used when restarting work or responsibilities after stopping for a while.
She had to pick up the threads of her project after her maternity leave.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Instant
It implies a process to get back on track, not an immediate switch.
It took him weeks to pick up the threads of his writing routine.
Pro Tip 3/3Continuity
Suggests a link with the past, resuming something previously started.
The team aimed to pick up the threads where the previous manager left off.
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