have/keep your wits about you
have (one's) wits about (one)
To stay calm and rational, especially in times of stress. Luckily, the teacher had her wits about her and was able to evacuate all of her students from the burning building.
keep (one's) wits about (one)
To stay calm and rational, especially in times of stress. Luckily, the teacher kept her wits about her and was able to evacuate all of her students from the burning building.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have your wits about you
If you have your wits about you, you are alert and ready to take action in a difficult or new situation. You've got to have your wits about you when you're driving a car. Note: You can also say that you keep your wits about you with the same meaning. Obviously divers need to keep their wits about them. Note: You can also say that you need your wits about you, meaning that it is important for you to behave in this way. You need your wits about you when you're dealing with people like this.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
have (or keep) your wits about you
be constantly alert and vigilant.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
have/keep your ˈwits about you
be/remain quick to think and act in a demanding, difficult or dangerous situation: Mountaineering is dangerous, so you need to keep your wits about you.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017