Get your act together

Get your act together: to organize in ways necessary to achieve a goal, necessity, or responsibility.

 

 Context #1 – Friends talking about relationships

Don: Are you seriously considering marrying your girlfriend.  I thought you said you had no job or plans for the future.

Jerrad: Well, she’s pretty great and she makes me want to be a better person.

Don: Well then, you better get your act together before her parents or friends disapprove of you.

Jerrad: I’m really trying to get my act together.  I don’t want to lose her.

Don: I hope so.  Otherwise, some other guy is going to take her from you.

   

Context #2 – Brother and sister talking about responsibilities in college

Kelly:  I’m glad you’re home for spring break. How’s college?

Devin: I’m not doing so well.  All the partying is keeping me from being focused.

Kelly: Hey, mom and dad are paying a lot of money for you to go to school.  You better get your act together.

Devin: I know.  I don’t want to disappoint them and I want to make sure I get a good education.

Explanation: “Get your act together” means to become responsible by taking steps in a positive/productive direction.  It means that your ideas are in many separate direction and you have to sit down, focus and complete the tasks necessary to succeed.

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