picking up one's crumbs

Verb

pick up one's crumbs (third-person singular simple present picks up one's crumbs, present participle picking up one's crumbs, simple past and past participle picked up one's crumbs)

1. (archaic, slang) To recuperate or recover, such as after an illness or injury.
   • 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.1834, Richard Henry Dana, (Please provide the book title or journal name)