pick up one's crumbs
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To recuperate or recover, such as after an illness or injury.
Register: archaic, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The latter, however, had "picked up his crumbs," was learning his duty, and getting strength and confidence daily; and began to assert his rights against his oppressor.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pick up one's crumbs” mean?
To recuperate or recover, such as after an illness or injury.
Is “pick up one's crumbs” formal or informal?
pick up one's crumbs is generally archaic, slang.