To regain control of one's emotions, thoughts, and composure after a difficult or shocking moment.
To calm yourself down and get ready to face something after being upset or shocked.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To regain emotional composure and mental focus after being upset, shocked, or overwhelmed.
"After receiving the bad news, she took a deep breath and gathered herself together before returning to the meeting."
To mentally and physically prepare oneself before attempting something demanding.
"He gathered himself together at the starting line, focusing on the race ahead."
To physically gather all the scattered parts of yourself back into one whole.
To calm yourself down and get ready to face something after being upset or shocked.
Always used reflexively. The 'oneself' varies with subject: 'I gathered myself together', 'she gathered herself together'. Implies a visible effort of self-control. Common in literary and everyday contexts.
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