A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

come to one’s senses • regain one’s senses
come to one’s senses —
1
. regain consciousness; stop feeling
faint: It wasn’t until long afterwards that she began to come
to her senses. 2. start behaving sensibly: When will she come
to her senses and see that he is a totally unsuitable man to
marry?
regain one’s senses — = come to one’s senses 
1
: She felt faint in
the hot room, but going out into the fresh air she quickly re-
gained her senses.
come to pieces • go to pieces
come to pieces —
1
. break into pieces; disintegrate: Halfway
home the body of the car literally came to pieces. 2. come
apart so that smth. is in separate pieces: Does this machine
come to pieces?
go to pieces —(also: fall to pieces) 
1
. = come to pieces 
1
: The
vessel is going to pieces, and it is full time for all who can, to
leave her. 2. collapse physically or morally; become hysterical:
At the news of her brother’s death she went completely to
pieces. 3. (of an organization, business, etc.) become weak; fail:
Since Mr. White handed over the management to his son, the
business has gone to pieces.
come to the front • go to the front
come to the front—
1
. (also: come to the fore) become well
known or popular: He had come to the front as the Prince
Charming of politics — young, handsome, and popular. 2. be
revealed; manifest itself: At such a time his true boastful self
would come to the front.
go to the front—take an advanced or forward position; take
the lead in a race, etc.: Sans Egal went to the front at once and
opened a lead of some six lengths.
come together • go together
come together —
1
. gather or meet: The family must come to-
gether for the parents’ silver wedding. 2. be reconciled; settle
the differences: I’m so glad that you two have decided to come
together at last.
go together —
1
. (of things) match; suit each other: Do you
think this hat and coat go well together? 2. happen together:
Since music and dance usually go together, it’s worth knowing
what children learn in music. 3. keep each other company
(with a view to marriage): Jim and Mary had been going to-
gether for two years before they were married.