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
AshlingASH-lingIrish
Ramakrishna-Indian, Telugu, Kannada
CaoimheKEE-va, KWEE-vaIrish, Scottish
Mu'tasim-Arabic
Thulani-Southern African, Zulu
RagnbjÖRg-Ancient Scandinavian