How do you say “Pull yourself together” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is Ressaisis-toi !, which literally means “Re-seize yourself!”. English speakers use pull yourself together to mean to regain control of your emotions and behave calmly after feeling upset, angry, or panicked. This is the exact, standard equivalent used by native speakers across all registers. 'Reprends-toi !' is equally natural in everyday conversation. It is informal, neutral and common in everyday French.
Closest natural French
Ressaisis-toi !
/ʁə.sɛ.zi.twa/
- Literal meaning
- “Re-seize yourself!”
- Register
- informal, neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
95 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
The English idiom 'pull yourself together' uses the physical metaphor of gathering one's scattered pieces to regain composure after an emotional shock or panic. In French, the reflexive verb 'se ressaisir' (or 'se reprendre') relies on the metaphor of gripping or seizing oneself again, implying that control was momentarily lost and must be taken back in hand.
Both 'Ressaisis-toi !' and 'Reprends-toi !' capture the exact pragmatic function of the English phrase, whether used as a firm command to someone in tears or as an internal resolution to regain composure. While 'se ressaisir' works seamlessly in both everyday speech and formal writing, 'se reprendre' is slightly more conversational.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity3 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
Reprends-toi !
Literally: “Take yourself back!”
Extremely common in spoken French, carries the exact same emotional weight.
Secoue-toi !
Literally: “Shake yourself!”
More abrupt and energetic, closer to 'Snap out of it!'
Garde ton sang-froid
Literally: “Keep your cold blood”
Closer to 'keep your cool' or 'keep your composure'.
Don't translate it literally
Tire-toi ensemble
A literal word-for-word translation that makes no sense in French; 'tire-toi' actually means 'get lost' or 'go away'.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in French, not as expressions.
In context
English
Stop crying and pull yourself together!
French
Arrête de pleurer et ressaisis-toi !
English
I know it's hard, but you need to pull yourself together before the meeting.
French
Je sais que c'est dur, mais tu dois te ressaisir avant la réunion.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-11