have one's wits about one

present singular third person has one's wits about one · participle present having one's wits about one · participle past had one's wits about one · past had one's wits about one · alternative keep one's wits about one

1. idiomaticTo remain calm, composed, focused, or aware.

   He was confused, half elated, half disappointed, and had not his wits about him.

   1869, Anthony Trollope, chapter 3, in Phineas Finn

   3 more examples

   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.

   1889, Horatio Alger, chapter 10, in Luke Walton

   And if you think he won't have his wits about him, just you try to fool him on some deal, and see.

   1908, Upton Sinclair, chapter 10, in The Moneychangers

   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.

   1917, Knut Hamsun, Growth of the Soil, Book 1, Ch.3, at p.27

   Synonyms: keep one's cool