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have one's wits about one. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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English
Pronunciation
Verb
have one's wits about one (third-person singular simple present has one's wits about one, present participle having one's wits about one, simple past and past participle had one's wits about one)
- (idiomatic) To remain calm, composed, focused, or aware.
1869, Anthony Trollope, chapter 3, in Phineas Finn:He was confused, half elated, half disappointed, and had not his wits about him.
1889, Horatio Alger, chapter 10, in Luke Walton:Luke alone seemed to have his wits about him. He saw that there was not a moment to lose, and, gathering up his strength, dashed to the old lady's assistance.
1908, Upton Sinclair, chapter 10, in The Moneychangers:And if you think he won't have his wits about him, just you try to fool him on some deal, and see.
- 1917, Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil, Book 1, Ch.3, at p.27:
- And so this woman from across the hills, a soft-spoken creature with her wits about her, and by name Oline, she stayed with them a couple of days, and had the little room to sleep in.
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