hold oneself together
Maintain emotional control
To hold oneself together is to maintain composure under emotional strain—to keep from crying, panicking, or falling apart.
The phrase implies effort against internal pressure: She barely held herself together during the eulogy.
It suggests fragility being managed through willpower, often just long enough to get through a difficult moment.
- composureEmotional self-control
- stay calmRemain unruffled
- stiff upper lipControlled emotional restraint
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
grace under pressure · equanimity · deep breath · grit · steadiness · steady nerves · self-control · breathing exercises · calmness · inner peace · restraint · self-respect · perseverance · acceptance · relaxation techniques · mindfulness · emotional regulation · determination
hold oneself togetherfall apart
Break into pieces
lose it · break down · come undone · crack up · have a meltdown
hold oneself togetherfall apart
Break into pieces
disintegrate · collapse · crumble · decompensate · deteriorate
oneself, together, holds, holding, holder, holders, holdout, holdover, behold