to become familiar with a new place or situation · to orient oneself
Imagine you've just walked into a huge new shopping mall 🛍️ or a giant supermarket. You have no idea where anything is! This expression perfectly describes the moment you start looking around, trying to figure out the layout, where the departments are, and how to get around without getting lost. It's like your internal GPS booting up! 🗺️✨
💡 **Pro Tip!** This idiom is great for when you're trying to understand a new environment, not just physical places but also new situations at work or school. For example, you can say, 'I just started this new project, and I'm still trying to get my bearings.' It literally means finding your direction, but figuratively it means understanding your position or situation.
You've just arrived in a new, massive department store you've never visited before. Which English expression would you most likely use when you start looking around to understand the store's layout? A. I'm going to take a nap. B. I need to get my bearings. C. I'm going to buy everything.