get your bearings

Meaning

To get your bearings means to determine your position or direction relative to your surroundings, or to become familiar with a new situation or place. In travel, it refers to orienting yourself in a new city, learning where key landmarks are, and figuring out how to navigate. It is a very common, neutral expression used by travelers and locals alike.

Examples

• When I arrive in a new city, I like to take a walking tour just to get my bearings.

  When I arrive in a new city, I like to take a walking tour just to get my bearings.

• Let's look at the map for a minute so we can get our bearings.

  Let's look at the map for a minute so we can get our bearings.

• It took me a couple of days to get my bearings in London because the streets are so winding.

  It took me a couple of days to get my bearings in London because the streets are so winding.

• Once you get your bearings, navigating the subway system is actually quite simple.

  Once you get your bearings, navigating the subway system is actually quite simple.

• She paused at the top of the subway stairs to get her bearings before walking to the hotel.

  She paused at the top of the subway stairs to get her bearings before walking to the hotel.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to get my bearing before we walk any further.

  ✓ I need to get my bearings before we walk any further.

  The noun 'bearings' must always be plural in this idiom. 'Bearing' in the singular has different meanings.

• ✗ Let's stop to take our bearings.

  ✓ Let's stop to get our bearings.

  While 'find your bearings' or 'lose your bearings' are correct, 'get your bearings' is the standard phrase for orienting oneself, and 'take' is not used here.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I always use a map when I exit the train station to help me ___.

  💡 To figure out which direction you are facing and where you are.

  Show answer

  get my bearings

• It takes a little time to ___ in a massive airport like Heathrow.

  💡 To orient yourself in a new or confusing environment.

  Show answer

  get your bearings