From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpick up the thread(s)pick up the thread(s)CONTINUE/START AGAINto begin something again after a long period, especially a relationship or way of life They had known each other as children, and were picking up the threads of their friendship. → thread
Examples from the Corpus
pick up the thread(s)• Enough to do picking up the threads of his own life.• He picked up the thread and followed it.• They talked non-stop in an elaborate relay race, one picking up the thread as soon as the other paused for breath.• She gradually started to pick up the threads of her life. 