pick up the slack
Handle others' work
To pick up the slack is to compensate for someone else's inadequate performance or to take on work that others have left undone.
The image comes from pulling a rope taut—removing the loose, sagging portion.
When two employees quit, the rest of us had to pick up the slack.
Often implies doing more than your share without additional reward.
Protect by overlaying
- fill inTemporarily replace someone
- step upIncrease or advance
- take overAssume control of something
- substituteReplacement for another
make up for · backstop · shoulder the burden · carry the load · bridge the gap · hold down the fort · absorb · offset
Continue despite resistance
- dig deepAccess hidden reserves
- buckle downApply oneself determinedly
- double downStrengthen one's stance
- knuckle downApply oneself earnestly
rise to the occasion · go the extra mile · hustle · grind · dedication · initiative · perseverance · commitment
cover
Protect by overlaying
make up for · substitute · backstop · shoulder the burden · carry the load · bridge the gap · hold down the fort · absorb · offset · support
push through
Continue despite resistance
- dig deepAccess hidden reserves
- buckle downApply oneself determinedly
- double downStrengthen one's stance
knuckle down · rise to the occasion · go the extra mile · hustle · grind · dedication · initiative · perseverance · commitment · drive
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- labor idiomsnose to the grindstone, burning the midnight oil, pull your weight, crunch time, work like a dog
pick up the slackslack off
Reduce one's effort
drop the ball · coast · shirk · phone it in · slack
pick up the slackfreeload
Take without reciprocating
drag one's feet · underperform · leech · social loafing · sandbag
pick up the slackshirk
Evade one's obligations
drop the ball · duck out · pass the buck · bail · bow out
pick, picks, picked, picking, picker, pickers, slack, slacks, slacked