The story
Valerius Maximus, 6, 2, ext. 1: Provocarem ad Philippum, inquit, sed sobrium.—"I will appeal to Philip, she said, but to Philip sober."
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober
Today it means: To ask someone to reconsider a decision or view they took while their judgment was swayed by momentary passion, excitement, etc. Full definition →