keep wits about



keep one's wits about (one)

Fig. to remain rational when threatened or under stress; to keep one's mind operating in a time of stress. If Jane hadn't kept her wits about her during the fire, things would have been much worse. I could hardly keep my wits about me.
See also: keep, wit

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Akbar-Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Indian (Muslim)
BryanBRIE-ənEnglish
Grigorigree-GO-reeRussian
Augustin[ɔ:'gʌstin]
Ricardoree-KAHR-do (Spanish)Spanish, Portuguese
Golda-Yiddish