Pull oneself together

Posted by Smokey Stover on May 05, 2005

In Reply to: Pull oneself together posted by ESC on May 04, 2005

: : Please, what is the origin of the expression "pull oneself together" under the meaning of gaining recomposure?

: This is a total guess. People used to believe that in times of emotional upheaval, stress, etc., a person's soul could separate from his body. You could be "beside yourself." That would result in the need to "pull yourself together."

I've been falling apart ever since I learned I would not be on "American Idol." I'll have to pull myself back together. SS