idioms using “wit”

At your wits’ end

To be worried and desperate and not know what to do

“When Miyuki-san and her husband both lost their jobs, she was at her wits’ end.”

Gather your wits

To calm yourself after being frightened

“When the plane landed safely with only one engine left, the passengers sat silently gathering their wits.”

Keep your wits about you

To stay alert and ready to act in a difficult situation

“The bank teller kept her wits about her and called the police when the robbers weren’t looking.”

Pit your wits against someone

To use your intelligence to try to defeat another person

“The politician claims he is looking forward to pitting his wits against his opponent in a televised debate.”

Scare someone out of their wits

To frighten someone very much

“Even though I knew there was a bad storm outside, the booming thunder clap scared me out of my wits.”