had one's wits about one
Remained mentally sharp
To have one's wits about one is to remain alert, clearheaded, and able to think quickly—especially under pressure or in confusing circumstances.
The phrase often appears in past tense to describe someone who stayed sharp when it mattered: She had her wits about her and grabbed the fire extinguisher before the flames spread.
The negative suggests confusion or panic: I didn't have my wits about me after the accident.
- collectedCalm and self-possessed
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- awareHaving knowledge of
- eyes wide openState of full awareness
quick-witted · quick on the uptake · sharp as a tack · calm · vigilant · on one's toes · mindful · in the moment · on the ball · with it · unflappable · perceptive · self-possessed · poised · discerning · astute · presence of mind · thinking on one's feet
had one's wits about onelost one's head
Became irrational suddenly
panicked · fell apart · went to pieces · lost it · freaked out
had one's wits about onepanicked
Overwhelmed by sudden fear
fell apart · lost it · freaked out · went to pieces · choked
wittier, wittiest, wittily, witless, outwit, outwits, outwitted, outwitting