collect oneself
Steady one's nerves
To collect oneself is to regain composure after being startled, upset, or emotionally scattered.
The image is of gathering dispersed thoughts or feelings back together: She took a moment to collect herself before speaking.
Often appears as collect your thoughts when the focus is mental rather than emotional.
Emotional self-control
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- steadinessState of being constant
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
poise · stillness · centeredness · peace · relaxation · quietude · restfulness · ease
Device providing structural stability
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- psych upMentally prepare oneself
- fortifyMake stronger against threat
- girdEncircle or brace
rally · get a grip · pull together · regroup · gear up · bolster · take stock
Sustained single-minded attention
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- presenceState of being somewhere
- clarityState of being understandable
attention · awareness · regrouping · refocusing · gathering thoughts · mental clarity · clear-headedness · intentness
composure
Emotional self-control
- serenityUndisturbed mental quietude
- tranquilityUndisturbed peacefulness
- steadinessState of being constant
equanimity · poise · stillness · centeredness · peace · relaxation · quietude · restfulness · ease · soothing
brace
Device providing structural stability
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- psych upMentally prepare oneself
- fortifyMake stronger against threat
gird · rally · get a grip · pull together · regroup · gear up · bolster · take stock
concentration
Sustained single-minded attention
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- presenceState of being somewhere
clarity · attention · awareness · regrouping · refocusing · gathering thoughts · mental clarity · clear-headedness · intentness · absorption
- snap out of itsnap out of it, get a grip, get it together, shake it off, wake up
collect oneselffall apart
Break into pieces
panic · lose it · freak out · go to pieces · unravel
collect oneselflose control
Fail to maintain composure
fly off the handle · blow up · snap · explode · lash out
collect, oneself, self, collection, collective, collectively, collector, collectible, collectable