wit
The skill to say clever and funny things quickly.
The ability to use words in a quick, clever, and often amusing way.
A person who often says clever and funny things.
A person known for making clever and amusing remarks.
The power to think fast and clearly, especially when there is a problem or danger.
The ability to think clearly, quickly, and effectively, especially in a difficult or dangerous situation.
Your normal, healthy mind and self-control, especially when you almost lose it because you are very scared or worried.
A person’s normal mental balance and emotional control, especially when it is nearly lost through fear, worry, or stress.
(Very old use) To know something or be aware of it.
(Archaic) To know something as a fact or be aware of it.
- Base: wit
- Plural: wit, wits
at your wits' end
1unable to see any solution
So worried or tired of a problem that you do not know what to do anymore.
- After trying everything, I’m at my wits’ end with this computer.
- The parents were at their wits' end with their son's behavior.
- She felt at her wits’ end trying to balance work and childcare.
have your wits about you
1be alert and thinking clearly
To be alert and able to think clearly, especially when the situation is difficult or risky.
- You need to have your wits about you when crossing this busy road.
- Tourists must have their wits about them to avoid scams.
- In that job, you must always have your wits about you.
keep your wits about you
1stay calm and think clearly
To stay calm and think clearly when something is difficult, surprising, or dangerous.
- You need to keep your wits about you when driving in heavy traffic.
- The streets are very busy at night, so keep your wits about you.
- During the emergency, she kept her wits about her and called for help immediately.
live by your wits
1survive using only cleverness
To survive by being clever and using tricks or smart ideas, not by having a normal job or support.
- For years he lived by his wits, moving from city to city.
- Street kids often have to live by their wits.
- In the story, the hero lives by his wits after losing everything.
pit your wits against
1compete in intelligence with
To compete using your intelligence and problem-solving skills against a person or a difficult problem.
- Chess allows you to pit your wits against strong opponents.
- She enjoyed pitting her wits against complex legal cases.
- In the quiz show, teams pit their wits against each other.
scare someone out of their wits
1frighten someone very badly
To make someone extremely afraid.
- That horror film scared me out of my wits.
- The sudden scream scared the children out of their wits.
- The turbulence on the flight scared her out of her wits.
to wit
1formal "namely; that is to say"
A very formal way to say "namely" or "that is to say," used before giving exact details or a list.
- The committee considered several options, to wit, delaying the vote or canceling it entirely.
- He owns three properties, to wit: a house, an apartment, and a small farm.
- The law protects all citizens, to wit, anyone born or naturalized in the country.
wit and wisdom
1clever humor plus good sense
Clever humor together with good, practical judgment or life knowledge.
- The book is full of wit and wisdom about family life.
- Her speech combined wit and wisdom in equal measure.
- He was admired for his wit and wisdom on the radio show.