C2 （尤指在震惊、惊讶或大笑后）镇定下来，定神，集中思想
to get control of your feelings and thoughts, especially after shock, surprise, or laughter
I was so stunned by what he'd said I had to collect myself before I could reply. 他的话惊得我目瞪口呆，我定了定神才答上话。
Before describing the impact of his wife's death on their children, he paused to collect himself.
If you feel scared, take a breath, collect yourself, and move on.
This is a place where people can come to sit quietly and collect their thoughts.
You can see by her expression that she's collecting her thoughts.
See also: collect verb (CONTROL)