to pull oneself together
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to pull oneself together
To regain one's self-control; to discipline and focus oneself instead of giving in to one's feelings or laziness.
Reiß dich zusammen und mach deine Hausaufgaben, sonst wird das nichts!
Pull yourself together and do your homework, otherwise this won't work!
to gather up
To take and gather something hastily or forcefully.
Er riss schnell seine Papiere zusammen und verließ wütend den Raum.
He quickly gathered up his papers and left the room angrily.
'Zusammenreißen' (to pull oneself together/to gather up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zusammen-' goes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er reißt sich auch in schwierigen Situationen zusammen.
He pulls himself together even in difficult situations.
The verb consists of 'zusammen' (together) and 'reißen' (to tear, to pull). The literal meaning 'to pull together forcefully' helps you understand both meanings: you 'pull' your feelings together (control yourself), or you 'pull' things together hastily (gather them up).
Vor der Prüfung musste ich mich noch einmal richtig zusammenreißen.
Before the exam, I really had to pull myself together once more.
In the meaning 'sich beherrschen' (to control oneself), the verb is always reflexive: 'sich zusammenreißen' (to pull oneself together). It is very often used in the imperative to tell someone to discipline themselves.
Reiß dich zusammen, die Präsentation fängt gleich an!
Pull yourself together, the presentation is about to start!
The two meanings are easy to distinguish: the reflexive form 'sich zusammenreißen' always means to control oneself. If there is an accusative object such as 'Papiere' (papers) or 'Sachen' (things), it means hasty gathering.
Sie musste sich zusammenreißen, um nicht zu lachen.
She had to pull herself together so as not to laugh.
to tighten / streamline
Both expressions can mean that someone gathers themselves before a task and becomes more determined. Sich straffen emphasizes a visible, upright, tense posture. Sich zusammenreißen mainly means controlling one’s feelings or reluctance and concentrating.
Vor dem wichtigen Gespräch riss sie sich zusammen und sprach ruhig weiter.
Before the important conversation, she pulled herself together and continued speaking calmly.
Vor dem wichtigen Gespräch straffte sie sich und setzte sich aufrecht hin.
Before the important conversation, she straightened up and sat upright.
