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Glite Dictionary
to pick up the thread

to pick up the thread

1 4.9
To start an earlier activity or conversation again after an interruption
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : retomar el hilo
  • David, do you want to pick up the thread?
  • pick up the thread of a conversation
  • want to pick up the thread

So we begin with some reflections that are picking up the thread that began in the previous chapter.

Examples

  • Across the lawn he goes, plate in hand, and stands close to the two women and tries to pick up the thread of their conversation, but he can't quite find an opening.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • We pass through so many places, see so many faces, that all count is lost, and it's enough if we just pick up the thread.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • When she was gone, I picked up the thread of the conversation.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • After that, he picked up the thread of the lecture again.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • But let's begin by picking up the thread of responsibility to protect that I lectured about a couple of weeks ago.

  • Rereading them helps me to pick up the thread of the recent past and stimulates not only my emotional recovery but also the development of my work, which is beginning to get back on track.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • We must pick up the thread of this trail that leads to Eldwist, Uhl Belk, and the Black Elfstone and follow it to its end.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • After the break, the group was eager to pick up the thread of their discussion about climate change.

  • Maria was quiet, but she smiled and seemed ready to pick up the thread of their conversation from last week.

  • At the meeting, Alex suggested that they pick up the thread of the project where they left off last time.

Synonyms

to continue
vsto pick up the thread
∞ 1.0

To start again after a pause

emphasizes restarting the exact earlier line of discussion or action after a break
to resume
vsto pick up the thread
297 3.1

To start an activity again after a pause

focuses on continuing the same earlier discussion or activity after interruption
to carry on with
vsto pick up the thread
19 2.6

Continue doing something after a pause or interruption

stresses picking up the exact earlier thread of talk or work after interruption
to recommence
vsto pick up the thread
  • Formal
2 5.6

To begin again after a pause

is more informal and conversational about resuming prior talk or activity
to return to muttons
vsto pick up the thread
9.9

To go back to the main topic or task after a distraction

is broader, covering resuming any earlier activity or conversation, not only topics

Antonyms

to discontinue
58 4.2

To stop something that is happening or being given

How Smoothly

to carry on
253 2.7
to pick up the thread
1 4.9
to resume
297 3.1
to fumble
19 3.5

Surface Forms

pick up the thread infinitive
picked up the thread past
picked up the thread past participle
picking up the thread present participle
picks up the thread third person singular

Morphology

pick + up + the + thread

The phrase is partly compositional: 'pick up' has a particle-driven sense of taking/resuming and 'thread' can metaphorically mean a line of thought, so a learner who knows both senses can infer 'resume the conversation'. However, recognising the discourse sense of 'thread' and the phrasal-verb meaning of 'pick up' requires a small metaphorical shift, so the mapping is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Pick up the thread comes from sewing or knitting: when you stop and then take the loose thread in your hand to begin again, you literally pick up the thread. So it now means 'start again' with a conversation or activity after an interruption.