gather to oneself

gather to (oneself)

To move someone or something closer to oneself. The mother gathered her crying child to herself. I gathered my books to myself and left the library. I gathered the confidential paperwork to myself so no passersby in the hallway could see it.

See also: gather, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

gather someone or something to oneself

to draw someone or something to oneself. The hen gathered her chicks to herself. Harry gathered the poker chips to himself.

See also: gather, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.