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. My brother seriously needs to stop this messy behavior and get his act together. He's too old to be dating multiple women at the same time!
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. A: "Wait, you were in a minor car accident on your way to the job interview?" B: "Yeah, but I was able to get my act together before I went in. I think the interview actually went well!" I didn't want to lash out in anger, so I stepped into the bathroom to get my act together.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
get one’s act together
and get one’s shit together and get one’s stuff together1. 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.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer