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Collect oneself: meaning, definitions and examples

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collect oneself

[ ˈkɒlɛkt wʌnˈsɛlf ]

Phrasal verb

^{Context #1 | Phrasal verb}

emotional control

To compose or calm oneself, especially after a period of stress or anxiety. It involves taking a moment to gather one's thoughts, emotions, and composure.

Synonyms

calm down, compose oneself, pull oneself together, regain composure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
collect oneself	When someone needs a moment to gather their thoughts and emotions, especially after a shock or surprise. After hearing the bad news, she needed a moment to collect herself before speaking again.
compose oneself	Used in formal situations where one needs to appear controlled and dignified, often after an emotional experience. Despite the public embarrassment, she quickly composed herself and continued with her speech.
calm down	When someone is feeling very angry, upset, or stressed, and needs to become more relaxed. He was yelling at the top of his lungs, but eventually, he began to calm down.
regain composure	When someone has lost their calm and needs to return to a state of emotional stability and control. She took a deep breath and regained her composure before addressing the audience again.
pull oneself together	When someone is visibly upset or disorganized and needs to regain control over their emotions and actions quickly. Often used with a sense of urgency. After the incident, he was a mess, but he knew he had to pull himself together to finish the job.

Examples of usage

I needed a minute to collect myself after receiving the shocking news.
She took a deep breath to collect herself before giving her presentation.
We all need to collect ourselves before making any decisions.

Translations

Translations of the word "collect oneself" in other languages:

🇵🇹 controlar-se

🇮🇳 खुद को संभालना

🇩🇪 sich fassen

🇮🇩 mengumpulkan diri

🇺🇦 опанувати себе

🇵🇱 zebrać się w sobie

🇯🇵 気を取り直す (きをとりなおす)

🇫🇷 se ressaisir

🇪🇸 recuperarse

🇹🇷 kendini toplamak

🇰🇷 마음을 가다듬다

🇸🇦 استجمع نفسه

🇨🇿 sebrat se

🇸🇰 zobrať sa

🇨🇳 镇定

🇸🇮 zbrati se

🇮🇸 ná sjálfum sér

🇰🇿 өзін жинау

🇬🇪 თავის შეკრება

🇦🇿 özünü toplamaq

🇲🇽 recuperarse

Etymology

The phrase 'collect oneself' originated in the late 18th century and is derived from the Middle English word 'collecten' meaning 'to gather together'. It reflects the idea of gathering one's thoughts and emotions into a cohesive state. Over time, it has become a commonly used expression in English language to describe the act of regaining composure or emotional control.