Collect One's Wits Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

collect one's wits What does collect one's wits mean?	to make an effort to control one's thoughts and feelings after something shocking or unexpected happens	I stopped at a small coffee shop after the job interview in order to collect my wits.
	Some Random Idioms
lord it over (someone) What does "lord it over (someone)" mean?	act as the superior and master of someone, be bossy over someone	She likes to lord it over the other members of the staff since she became a supervisor.

Here goes nothing. What does "Here goes nothing." mean?	ready to do something but think that it will probably be a waste of time and will probably fail	"Here goes nothing. I have already asked him to lend me some money and he always says no but I`ll try again."
Better than a stick in the eye What does "Better than a stick in the eye" mean?	If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing.
jockey for position What does "jockey for position" mean?	try to put yourself in a better position at the expense of others (as a jockey would do in a horse race)	try to put yourself in a better position at the expense of others (as a jockey would do in a horse race)The salesmen started to jockey for position as soon as they learned that the sales manager was leaving the company.
keep one's hand in (something) What does "keep one's hand in (something)" mean?	to retain one's control of something, to continue doing something so that you remain involved in it	The animal trainer is trying to keep his hand in his work even though he has retired.
at (someone`s) beck and call What does "at (someone`s) beck and call" mean?	to be always ready to serve somebody	His eldest daughter is always at his beck and call when he spends an evening at home.
get off on the wrong foot (with someone or something) What does "get off on the wrong foot (with someone or something)" mean?	to make a bad start with someone or something	I got off on the wrong foot with my boss and our relationship is not good.

get a raise What does "get a raise" mean?	to get an increase in one's salary	My sister works hard and she recently got a raise in her new job.
fly into the face of danger What does "fly into the face of danger" mean?	to take great risks	The pilot was flying into the face of danger when he went to fight the forest fire.
above board What does "above board" mean?	honest, not secret (originally players showed their honesty by keeping their hands above the board/table when playing a game of cards)	The real estate agent was always above board when dealing with people who were trying to buy a house.
slutty What does "slutty" mean?	a sexually promiscuous or alluring appearance (used only in reference to women).	She always looks slutty, even when she goes to church.
Hear on the grapevine What does "Hear on the grapevine" mean?	To receive information indirectly through a series of third parties, similar to a rumour.

American Idioms and Expressions

Collect One's Wits Idiom