gather one's wits
Compose yourself mentally
To gather one's wits is to collect oneself mentally after confusion, shock, or distraction—to regain composure and clear thinking.
The phrase implies a moment of recovery before proceeding: She took a breath to gather her wits before responding.
Often appears as gather your wits in advice or commands.
- calmnessPeaceful mental state
- collect oneselfRegain emotional equilibrium
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- lucidityClearness of mind
- think straightMaintain mental clarity
quick-thinking · attentiveness · mindfulness · flexibility · self-awareness · contemplation · regroup · pull it together · get a grip · discernment · snap out of it · shake it off · deliberation · patience · equanimity · reasoning · responsiveness · adaptability
gather one's witspanic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
lose one's head · fall apart · lose it · go to pieces · freak out
gather one's witsdraw a blank
Fail to remember
lose focus · space out · zone out · blank out · lose the plot
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