PhrasesHub

Pull yourself together

    Definitions

      • regain control or composure
        Encouragement to collect one's thoughts and emotions, and to stop panicking or acting out of control in a difficult or stressful situation

      • improve one's behavior or actions
        A gentle reminder to act more responsibly or maturely, often used with children or young adults who are behaving inappropriately

      • unite or gather resources
        Call to action for a group or team to come together and work towards a common goal or objective

    Examples of Pull yourself together

    • After losing her job and going through a messy breakup, Sarah felt like her life was falling apart. Her friends urged her to "pull herself together" and start focusing on the future.

      This idiom means to regain composure and stop feeling overwhelmed or emotional. It suggests that the person has the ability to gather their thoughts and actions, and move forward in a positive direction. In Sarah's case, her friends were encouraging her to stop dwelling on the past and start taking steps towards a brighter future.


    Conclusion

    Overall, the idiom "pull yourself together" is used to encourage someone to regain control or composure, improve their behavior, or unite and gather resources towards a shared goal. It is typically used in a motivating or supportive way, rather than as a harsh criticism.

    Origin of "Pull yourself together"

    The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was first used in a literal sense to describe physically gathering oneself together. However, it was not until the 20th century that it gained its figurative meaning as a call to regain control or composure.

    One theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from the sport of rowing, where the phrase "pull together" was used to encourage rowers to synchronize their strokes and work together as a team. Over time, this phrase evolved into "pull yourself together" and was applied to other situations outside of rowing.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the military, where soldiers were told to "pull themselves together" when facing a difficult or dangerous situation. This sense of regaining control and composure in the face of adversity can still be seen in the current usage of the idiom.

    Overall, the origins of "pull yourself together" may have multiple influences, but its meaning remains the same - to encourage someone to regain control and composure in a difficult situation.