picking up the slack
Filling the gap
Picking up the slack means taking on work or responsibilities that others have left undone or are failing to handle.
The image comes from rope or line that has gone loose—someone must pull it taut.
When two employees quit, the rest of us had to pick up the slack.
The phrase often carries a note of resentment toward those not doing their share.
- substitutingPutting one for another
- coveringLayer that shields or hides
- filling inTemporary replacement duty
- standing in forTemporarily replacing another
- teamworkJoint effort toward shared aim
stepping in · carrying the load · team player · all hands on deck · delegation · flexibility · compensating · troubleshooting · support · prioritization · stepping up · going the extra mile · above and beyond · reliability · accountability · communication · cooperation · resilience
picking up the slackslacking off
Neglecting responsibilities deliberately
dropping the ball · shirking · coasting · freeloading · phoning it in
picks, picked, picker, pickers, picking, slack, slacks, slacked, slacking