C1idiomworkIELTS-friendly
pick up the slack
USUK
to do work that someone else has not done or cannot do
Often a complaint. Use 'for someone' to say whose work it is. American English also says 'take up the slack'.
In context
When two nurses left, the rest of the team had to pick up the slack.
I'm tired of picking up the slack for colleagues who leave early.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a jack of all tradesa person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money