get (one's) act together

get (one's) act together

1. To take action to become well-organized, prepared, or in a better state of life. You need to get your act together and finish packing so that we can leave for the airport on time tomorrow morning. I had no direction after college and drifted along for several years, until I got my act together in my thirties with a steady job and good relationship.
2. To organize one's thoughts, often with the aim of regaining one's calm. I really need to get my act together before I go into the board meeting.
See also: act, get, together
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get one's act together

to get oneself organized and on schedule. I've got to get my act together and start getting my work done. When I have my act together, I'll get a job.
See also: act, get, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

get one's act together

Also, get one's shit or it all together . Start to behave more appropriately or effectively; get organized. For example, Once Joe gets his act together he'll get a raise, or You'd better get it all together before the boss comes back. The variant using shit is considered vulgar. [Slang; second half of 1900s] Also see get one's ducks in a row.
See also: act, get, together
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

get your act together

INFORMAL
COMMON If you get your act together, you organize yourself effectively so that you can deal successfully with things. We're going to be 22 points down by Monday, and we've got to get our act together. The State Opposition is beginning to get its act together after a long period of muddling through.
See also: act, get, together
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

get your act together

organize yourself in the manner required in order to achieve something. informal
2002 New York Times There are still many who think all that the dirty, homeless man on the corner talking to himself needs is just to get his act together.
See also: act, get, together
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

get your ˈact together

,

get something/it toˈgether

(informal) (also get/have your ˈshit together taboo, slang) manage to organize or control something better than you have done before: If Sally got her act together she’d be a great musician. He’s been trying to get his life together. He seems to be getting it together at last.
See also: act, get, together
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

get one’s act together

and get one’s shit together and get one’s stuff together
1. tv. to organize oneself; to get one’s possessions organized. (Usually objectionable.) Let me get my act together, and I’ll be right with you. As soon as I get my shit together and put it away, I be with you.
2. and get one’s head together tv. to calm down and get mentally organized. (Usually objectionable.) As soon as I get my head together, I can be of more help.
See also: act, get, together
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

get (one's) act together

Slang
To get organized.
See also: act, get, together
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

get one's act together

Get organized, behave effectively. This slangy expression, dating from about 1960, alludes to show business. It does so even more explicitly in “I’m getting my act together and taking it on the road” (New York Times, June 15, 1980).
See also: act, get, together
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • get act together
  • get one’s act together
  • get one's act together
  • get your act together
  • get together
  • have (one's) act together
  • get (one's) ducks in a row
  • get your ducks in a row
  • get/have your ducks in a row
  • get ducks in a row