pick up the pieces

The president has repeatedly floated the idea of terminating federal disaster relief altogether and leaving states to pick up the pieces after hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires.

"We all know what's best for patients. But if we're constantly trying to pick up the pieces, we can't do that quality job that we need to that will save the NHS in the long run."

The latter is the place where just three weeks on from that, after rowback, market tumult, and confusion, the finance ministers of the entire world gathered to try to pick up the pieces, even as they were still rebounding off the ground.

Maezawa abruptly cancelled the mission, leaving the crew to pick up the pieces of their disrupted lives - the experience informed Adam's thought provoking project.

And just as fast, they are left alone to pick up the pieces; no resources, no aid, nothing.