Definition of pick up the slack in English:
pick up the slack
(also take up the slack)
phrase
1Use up a surplus or improve the use of resources to avoid an undesirable lull in business.
‘as domestic demand starts to flag, foreign demand will help pick up the slack’
- ‘This is how a humane company avoids lay-offs - we take up the slack when someone leaves or retires and keep the headcount slim.’
- ‘When a participating company goes out of business, others pick up the slack.’
- ‘That means we have to count on business investment to pick up the slack.’
- ‘As the rain persists and reservoirs back up, homes, businesses and roads take up the slack.’
- ‘The key to breaking the cycle is to boost demand and take up the slack in the economy.’
- ‘Are the self-employed really taking up enough of the slack?’
- ‘There is no room to pick up any of the slack with cars.’
- ‘That has ended, but strong demand for Internet-enabling software and consultancies has taken up the slack.’
- ‘However, the barriers to entry aren't large, and new companies have come into being to take the slack.’
- ‘Europe's economy picked up some of the slack, but it too is set to slow.’
surplus, excess, residue, spare capacity
2Pull on the loose end or part of a rope in order to make it taut.
‘my partner held the rope ready to take up the slack as I climbed’
- ‘As soon as DC felt weight on the rope he anchored like any good cow horse will and took up the slack in the rope.’
- ‘The Instructor gave her a slap on the rump and then proceeded to take up the slack on the rope.’