come to oneself
To start thinking clearly and feeling like yourself again after being upset, shocked, or lost in thought.
Meanings
To return to a calm, sensible, or normal state of mind after being confused, distressed, or lost in thought.
"She sat quietly for a few minutes and gradually came to herself after the shock of the news."
"He shook his head, as if to come to himself."
— Charles Dickens, 'A Tale of Two Cities'
To recover one's natural personality or character after a period of being unlike oneself.
"After months of depression, he finally seemed to come to himself again."
A somewhat literary or old-fashioned expression. More common in written English and formal speech than in everyday conversation. Often appears in older literature and formal narratives.
Commonly used with
Forms
Understand "come to oneself" better
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "come to oneself" on Looplines