Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[perspectives]

Hi,

I'd like to know if 'pull oneself togther' means the same as 'hold one's own' when it refers to fall out of love?

Can I say:
1. I could pull myself together after I fell out of love.
2. I could hold my own after I fell out of love.

When will we use 'hold one's own', meaning 'one is as good as anyone else'? Could you please give me an example?


Thank you very much in advance.

[pugachevV]

If you hold your own:- you acquit yourself adequately; you retain a position of strength in a challenging situation.

Even though he's a great player I held my own - the game ended in a tie.

If you pull yourself together, you regain control of your emotions


I would say that if you fell out of love, you would be the instigator of the situation, so would probably not be that unhappy about it. However, if your wife had fallen in love with someone else, you might have to pull yourself together in order to hold your own.

[perspectives]

Thank you very much, pugachevV. Good explanation! I understand it now.
Thanks!