witwit /wɪt/ ●○○ noun 
a woman of great wit and charmquick/dry/sharp etc wit His sharp wit had them all smiling.2amusing person [countable] someone who is able to say clever and amusing things3wits [plural] your ability to think quickly and make the right decisions: Alone and penniless, I was forced to live on my wits.keep/have your wits about you (=be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation)4frighten/scare/terrify somebody out of their wits informal to frighten someone very much: I was terrified out of my wits at the very idea.5gather/collect/recover etc your wits to make yourself think about what you are going to do next after you have been surprised by something: I felt helpless, but tried to gather my wits.6pit your wits against somebody to compete against someone in a test of knowledge or intelligence7be at your wits’ end to be very upset and not know what to do, because you have tried everything possible to solve a problem8have the wit to do something formal to be clever enough to know the right thing to do: Thankfully, Reid had the wit to see what was wrong with the plan.9not be beyond the wit of somebody formal not be too difficult for someone to do: It’s surely not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution.10to wit old use or formal used to introduce additional information which makes it clear exactly who or what you are talking about SYN namely: This does not stop me giving you a little treat. To wit, an invitation to dine at Brown’s. → battle of wits at battle1(5), → half-wit, → live by your wits at live1(15), → outwit, quick-witted, witty
WORD ORIGINwit
Origin:
Old English ‘knowledge, intelligence’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A dozen writers and wits used to gather at the Algonquin Hotel for lunch.
- He seemed to have everything you could want in a man -- intelligence, wit, good looks and charm.
- Oscar Wilde was a famous wit.
- People love him for his wit and charm.
- Rochester was well known as a wit in society circles.
- The wit and irony of the original novel has been lost in the film version.
- But then Farah did everything with style and wit courtesy.
- He did not hide his opinions in wit as Franklin or in fuzziness as Washington had.
- He remained still and tried to gather his wits.
- His limpid style and flashes of wit overcame Labour heckling, tickled the press and brought a smile to jaded Tory backbenchers.
- People especially like to pat foals, and unfortunately usually on their face or head, which scares the wits out of them.
- She was totally guileless, honest, with a mordant sense of humour and sardonic wit.
Longman Language Activatorto try to avoid risks or danger
to do something in a sensible way, in order to avoid risks: · Of course you don't have to spend all your time worrying about possible health hazards, but you still need to take care.take care how/when etc: · Take care how you cross the road. Most drivers ignore the traffic lights and just drive through. take care with: · I always take great care with diets, so I don't lose too much weight too quickly.
to make preparations before you do something, in order to avoid the risk of something unpleasant happening: · Tourists should take precautions as they would in any large city, and should avoid traveling alone at night. take precautions against: · The villagers had already taken precautions against random raids by the militia.take the precaution of doing something: · Bennet had taken the precaution of transferring his house into his wife's name before his company collapsed.
to pay careful attention to what is happening and not easily trust people, in order to avoid getting into danger, being tricked etc: · Drivers have to be on their guard, as faults or signal failures can occur at any time.be on your guard against: · " We would like to warn everybody to be on their guard against unsolicited 'tradesmen'," he said.
to watch and listen very carefully when you are in a situation that might be dangerous, or in which people might try to cheat you: · It was only because John kept his wits about him that the boys managed to get home safely.· Buying a second-hand car can be very tricky. You really have to have your wits about you.
to choose a careful way of doing something instead of a way that could have more risks or danger: · My friends keep advising me to invest my money in stocks and shares but I've decided to play safe and leave it in the bank.· The Film Club could have played safe by starting the season with one of the ever-popular Hitchcock movies, but instead they chose to show an avant-garde documentary.
to organize something in a very careful way, because you want to avoid any possible risks: · This time we're taking no chances. Everything will be planned down to the last detail.· Weather forecasters have warned about the possibility of severe storms, and city officials are taking no chances.
the quality in someone or something that makes them funny British humor American the quality or thing in a situation, book, remark etc that makes it funny: · Everyone laughed except Dad, who obviously didn't appreciate the humour of the situation.· The most popular children's books are ones that have plenty of humor in them.black humour (=about things such as death and violence): · Tom Lehrer's black humor offended some people, who found jokes about such subjects as nuclear war unacceptable.
the quality in a book, film, television programme etc that is intended to entertain people and make them laugh: · It was a brilliant play - full of drama, and both sadness and comedy.· Much of the comedy in Pratchett's books comes from the clever way he plays around with words and ideas.
the ability to use words and express ideas in a clever and amusing way, especially when it is shown in conversation or writing: · He seemed to have everything you could want in a man -- intelligence, wit, good looks and charm.· The wit and irony of the original novel has been lost in the film version.
someone who tells jokes or does things to make people laugh a professional entertainer who makes people laugh: · Lenny Henry, the famous British comedian, will appear in a show in London next week.· Before becoming a film actor, he'd been a comic appearing regularly in cabaret.stand-up comedian/comic (=one who stands alone in front of the public and tells jokes): · Robin Williams first made his name as a stand-up comedian.
an intelligent person who is good at being funny in clever or original ways: · Rochester was well known as a wit in society circles.· A dozen writers and wits used to gather at the Algonquin Hotel for lunch.
someone who does something in order to confuse or trick someone else, to make other people laugh: · The shop sold toys and gadgets for practical jokers.
to feel worried about something · My husband worries when I'm late home from work.· Don't worry, there's plenty of time.· Mom, stop worrying. I'll be fine.worry (that) · He began to worry he might lose his job.· I was worried that Shannon was too small, but the doctor says she's fine.worry about · I was really worried about it at the time.· I don't know what you're worrying about.
to worry a lot about something, especially something that is not very serious: · She worries and frets all the time -- I think it's because she's got no one to talk to about her problems.fret about/over: · I'd sit in meetings, fretting about what was happening at home.· There's no point in fretting over it now.fret that: · Opponents fret that the system might not provide enough help in times of rural economic crisis.
to keep thinking about and worrying about a problem for a long time after it has happened: · There's no point in brooding -- forget about her.· Dad alternately brooded and raged, and Mum wasn't much better.brood about/over/on: · Don't sit at home brooding about how badly you've been treated.· Achilles sits in his tent, brooding over the wrongs done to him.
to be very worried and upset about something: · Where were you last night? I was worried sick.be worried sick about: · She's worried sick about the possibility of losing her job.· I'm worried sick about Sandy. I haven't heard from her for days. worry yourself sick: · Jenny had worried herself sick trying to think of a way to pay back the money.
extremely worried and frightened about a situation and unable to think or behave calmly: · Inspector Grimes was used to dealing with frantic parents.get/grow/become frantic: · The knocking on the door and shouts became frantic.· There is still no news of the missing child and her parents are getting frantic.· The dog's barking grew frantic as I approached.frantic with worry/fear: · Her eyes were frantic with fear, and she couldn't keep still.
to be very worried about a problem, especially something that has been happening for a long time that you feel you cannot deal with any longer: · I don't know what I can do to keep our marriage together -- I'm at my wits' end!· It was two days before the baby was due, and Robert was at his wits' end.
to be worried that something you are going to do might be morally wrong: · Few so-called animal lovers have qualms when they purchase meat from supermarkets.· Despite my qualms, I accepted the job.have qualms about: · Shareholders seem to have few qualms about companies sponsoring overseas abortion programs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY His sharp wit had them all smiling. Alone and penniless, I was forced to live on my wits. It’s surely not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES All that drink has addled his brains! Eliot appreciated Pound’s caustic wit. an intelligent man with a ready wit
His sharp wit had them all smiling. Alone and penniless, I was forced to live on my wits. (=be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation)
It’s surely not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution. All that drink has addled his brains! Eliot appreciated Pound’s caustic wit. (=compete against someone using your intelligence or knowledge) Pit your wits against family or friends!
Pit your wits against family or friends! an intelligent man with a ready wit informal (=extremely scared)· She admitted she was scared witless.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Sir Brian is loud-mouthing Sir Bernard, who is assaulting the other five with caustic wit.
· He quickly built up a reputation for his dry wit.· He was a dour Yankee, tall, confident, elegant, with a dry wit and aristocratic tastes.· Mr Andreotti has been cleared in two trials, and is now a chat show regular with a dry wit.· He was a brilliant improviser with a dry wit and a masterly sense of timing.· He was 24, highly intelligent, could drink Malc under the table and had a dry, lightning wit.· He reminded me of Benjamin with his dry wit, sardonic observations and palpable honesty.
· Shabba's dominance of reggae is due to his unique voice, strong personal style and quick wit.· Sylvie, tempered with Mathilde's quick wits and humour.
· Shrewd in business, he had a ready wit and a distinctive appearance, with a full beard and piercing eyes.
· Our offer of riches beyond dreams still stands for those deft with pen and sharp of wit.· Revealing his conclusion would spoil the fun because Hitt tells his story with a deft touch and a sharp wit.· Her poor academic record was traded in for the sharpest of wits, her gaucherie for poise.· Ice creams and lollies seem to benefit from the sharp wit of its frosting.· The blood in my veins ran high and my usually sharp wits dulled.· Lapworth was retiring, generous, especially to his students, and sincere, though he had a sharp wit.
VERB· I tried to collect my wits for the arrival.
· Knowing the cat as well as she did, Mildred could see that, despite its size, it was frightened out of its wits.· Maura, tears running down her face, was frightened out of her wits.· There is a beautiful little iron-grey mare here that Alejandro has frightened out of her wits and says is too wet for polo.
· It is gone even before the predator can gather its wits and make chase.· I felt helpless, but tried to gather my wits.· He remained still and tried to gather his wits.· She slowly gathered her wits, and looked round.
· Individually or collectively, they must have made a decision to keep their wits about them for the committee meeting.· His expression kept changing-irony, wit, envy.· For Winnie herself, it required the tightest hold, the fumes of the stuff, to keep her wits about her.· Anyway, she had to keep her wits about her.· If I had kept my wits and remained coherent I would probably have realised the manager's job was third prize.
· Freddie lived by his wits and he was involved with many shady characters.· Days when there were no news sensations the newsboys lived by their wits.· At first, I lived on my wits.· But in 1749 he committed a greater indiscretion when he left Cambridge for London, to live on his wits.· Many 16 to 18-year olds are living off their wits and on the streets.· I'd live off my wits even though I've geared myself to be a footballer.
· She would need all her wits about her.· Whatever type of change you are dealing with, you need your wits about you.· She needed all her wits and what was left of her strength in order to follow the grand plan.· He knew their conversation had become interrogation and he would need all his wits about him.· She would need all her wits if she were to stand any chance of getting away from him.· When an emergency situation arises the pilot needs all his wits about him.
· Jill and Oz will pit their wits against each other, as they try to identify mystery wines.
· Suddenly, I heard a loud crash near me, scaring me out of my wits.· People especially like to pat foals, and unfortunately usually on their face or head, which scares the wits out of them.· It also came with a neighbor who scared the wits out of me, but about whom I was curious.· They had seen the knuckles come out of the silken wrapping and the force of it scared their wits back into good manners.· The film has gotten good reviews, but it has scared the wits out of some male film critics.
· I was terrified out of my wits at the very idea.· Evidently terrified out of her wits, she had become delirious, mumbling incomprehensibly, her hands rubbing her stomach.
· He now used money where he had once used his wit.· My passenger had had a lucky escape that night; he had used his wits well and survived another fight.· The first of them is to use his wits.· Basically, the expression means to use your wits to assess what you are being told.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► not be beyond the wit of somebody► to wit► frighten/scare/terrify somebody out of their witsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a battle of wits► a nimble mind/brain/wit
1amusing [uncountable] the ability to say things that are clever and amusing: - Jill and Oz will pit their wits against each other, as they try to identify mystery wines.
- I'm at my wits' end trying to fix this computer.
- I don't know what I can do to keep our marriage together -- I'm at my wits' end!
- It was two days before the baby was due, and Robert was at his wit's end.
- Thankfully, Reid had the wit to see what was wrong with the plan.
- You have to rely on your wits to be successful in business.
- He remained still and tried to gather his wits.
- I felt helpless, but tried to gather my wits.
- I tried to collect my wits for the arrival.
- It is gone even before the predator can gather its wits and make chase.
- She slowly gathered her wits, and looked round.
- The city's homeless live completely by their wits.
- Days when there were no news sensations the newsboys lived by their wits.
- Freddie lived by his wits and he was involved with many shady characters.
- He showed his willingness to trade his mordant wit for the required political cliches.
a woman of great wit and charmquick/dry/sharp etc wit His sharp wit had them all smiling.2amusing person [countable] someone who is able to say clever and amusing things3wits [plural] your ability to think quickly and make the right decisions: Alone and penniless, I was forced to live on my wits.keep/have your wits about you (=be ready to think quickly and do what is necessary in a difficult situation)4frighten/scare/terrify somebody out of their wits informal to frighten someone very much: I was terrified out of my wits at the very idea.5gather/collect/recover etc your wits to make yourself think about what you are going to do next after you have been surprised by something: I felt helpless, but tried to gather my wits.6pit your wits against somebody to compete against someone in a test of knowledge or intelligence7be at your wits’ end to be very upset and not know what to do, because you have tried everything possible to solve a problem8have the wit to do something formal to be clever enough to know the right thing to do: Thankfully, Reid had the wit to see what was wrong with the plan.9not be beyond the wit of somebody formal not be too difficult for someone to do: It’s surely not beyond the wit of man to come up with a solution.10to wit old use or formal used to introduce additional information which makes it clear exactly who or what you are talking about SYN namely: This does not stop me giving you a little treat. To wit, an invitation to dine at Brown’s. → battle of wits at battle1(5), → half-wit, → live by your wits at live1(15), → outwit, quick-witted, witty