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
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 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
- get (one's) act together
- get act together
- get one’s act together
- get your act together
- get together
- have (one's) act together
- get your ducks in a row
- get/have your ducks in a row
- get one's ducks in a row
- get ducks in a row