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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