Definition & Meaning of "[pick] up the pieces"

What is the origin of the idiom "pick up the pieces" and when to use it?

The phrase "pick up the pieces" has its origin in the literal sense of gathering and reassembling fragments of a broken object. The phrase has been used metaphorically since the 19th century to describe the process of recovering from a difficult or traumatic event and rebuilding one's life or situation. The phrase is often used in situations where there has been a sudden or unexpected event that has caused damage or disruption. It implies that a significant effort is required to restore the situation to its previous state or to build something new in its place.