collect your wits

collect (one's) wits

To try to calm oneself and think clearly and rationally. Take a moment to collect your wits, then tell us how the accident happened.
See also: collect, wit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

collect your wits

or

gather your wits

LITERARY
If you collect your wits or gather your wits, you make an effort to control yourself and become calm again, after a frightening or shocking experience. I took a deep breath and tried to gather my wits. The news was so shocking that I was scarcely able to take it in. Sinking into a leather armchair, I attempted to collect my wits and decide what on earth I was going to tell Lucy.
See also: collect, wit
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

collect/gather your ˈwits

try to become calm and think clearly: After such a shock I found it difficult to gather my wits.
See also: collect, gather, wit
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • collect (one's) wits
  • collect/gather your wits
  • gather (one's) wits
  • gather your wits
  • collect thoughts
  • collect
  • collect (one's) thoughts
  • collect up
  • pick up after
  • pick up after (someone or oneself)
References in classic literature
But in the name of heaven collect your wits. I must have a sou parisis, and the appointment is for seven o'clock."
Notre Dame de Paris
Being the true soldier that you are, you collect your wits, pat down your ruffled hair and smugly enter a "pwned!" in the chat box.
Tribes: Ascend
Your head slams into the ceiling of the car, and when you finally manage to collect your wits the scenery whizzing by suddenly seems alarmingly different.
Jim Barsness