pull yourself together

USAGE SUMMARY

"pull yourself together" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to mean to regain control of one's emotions or to become more organized. It can also be used in a figurative sense, to mean to stop feeling sorry for oneself and to take action. Example: "You need to pull yourself together and take the initiative if you want to succeed in this job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But pull yourself together.

The New Yorker

Pull yourself together man.

The Guardian - Sport

Pull yourself together, Clark.

The New Yorker

Pull yourself together, nobody died.

Independent

Try to pull yourself together".

The New York Times - Arts

No. Now pull yourself together.

The Guardian

Pull yourself together," the doctor said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They are pull-yourself-together warnings to the present by way of arresting historical precedent.

The Guardian - Books

Sign up fOurthe best of VICE, delivered to younderstandingy.

Vice

"He was like, 'pull yourself together'," she laughs.

The Guardian

People think 'just get on with it' or 'pull yourself together'.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull yourself together" when you want to convey a sense of urgency and the need for immediate emotional or mental stabilization. It's suitable for situations where someone is visibly distressed or disorganized.

Common error

Avoid using "pull yourself together" in situations where someone is experiencing significant trauma or mental health issues. It can come across as insensitive and dismissive of their feelings. Instead, offer support and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull yourself together" functions primarily as an imperative, a command or instruction. It aims to urge or encourage someone to regain control of their emotions, behavior, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to suggest the importance of immediate emotional or mental stabilization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Books

5%

Sports

5%

TV & Radio

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pull yourself together" is a common imperative phrase used to urge someone to regain control of their emotions or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While versatile, its informal tone makes it more suitable for casual settings and less appropriate for sensitive or formal contexts. The phrase is prevalent in news, media, and lifestyle content. Remember that while offering a direct way to encourage composure, it should be used judiciously to avoid insensitivity. Alternatives like "compose yourself" or "get a grip" may be more suitable depending on the circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a grip

This is a more informal and direct way of telling someone to control their emotions.

compose yourself

This phrase suggests a more formal and deliberate effort to regain composure.

snap out of it

Implies a need to quickly change from a negative emotional state to a more positive or neutral one.

buck up

A more encouraging and slightly old-fashioned way of telling someone to improve their mood.

get it together

Similar to "pull yourself together", but slightly more general; refers to organizing yourself or your life.

man up

This phrase implies you regain your composure and act bravely or resolutely (often, but not always, said to men).

shape up

Indicates a need to improve one's behavior or performance.

get your act together

Suggests that someone needs to organize themselves and start behaving responsibly.

brace yourself

A slightly different meaning, as it implies preparing for something difficult, but it still suggests the need for mental fortitude.

keep it together

Similar to "pull yourself together", but suggests more resilience and continued effort.

FAQs

How can I use "pull yourself together" in a sentence?

You can use "pull yourself together" to advise someone to regain control of their emotions. For example, "After the disappointing news, she needed to "pull herself together" and focus on the next steps."

What's a more gentle way to say "pull yourself together"?

Instead of saying "pull yourself together", you might try a gentler approach such as "compose yourself" or "get a grip", depending on the situation.

When is it inappropriate to use "pull yourself together"?

It's generally inappropriate to use "pull yourself together" when someone is experiencing a serious emotional crisis or mental health issue. It can minimize their feelings and be perceived as insensitive. Consider alternatives such as offering support and understanding.

Are there formal alternatives to "pull yourself together"?

While "pull yourself together" is relatively informal, you can use phrases like "regain your composure" or "collect yourself" in more formal settings.