pull oneself together
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To stop being upset and start behaving normally again.
Literal meaning: To gather one's scattered pieces back into a unified whole — metaphor for restoring emotional order.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To regain control of your emotions and behaviour, especially after something upsetting.
"She took a few deep breaths and told herself to pull together before walking back into the room."
"Pull yourself together."
— Commonly attributed to Basil Fawlty, Fawlty Towers (BBC TV series, 1975–1979)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To force oneself to act calmly and competently in a difficult or high-pressure situation.
"He had to pull himself together before the job interview, even though he'd received bad news that morning."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Always reflexive — used with oneself, myself, yourself, himself, etc. Can be said to oneself as self-encouragement or said to others, sometimes harshly. Common in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
emotions nerves composure thoughts feelings
Forms
Base
pull oneself together
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pulls oneself together
he/she/it
Past simple
pulled oneself together
yesterday
Past participle
pulled oneself together
have + pp
-ing form
pulling oneself together
continuous
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