find (one's) bearings
To recognize or determine one's orientation, position, or abilities relative to one's surroundings or situation. It took me a little while to find my bearings in the new office, but after a week, I felt as if I'd been working there for years. We need to get above the treeline if we're going to find our bearings and reach the campsite before dark.
get (one's) bearings
To recognize or determine one's orientation, position, or abilities relative to one's surroundings or situation. We need to get above the tree line if we're going to get our bearings and reach the campsite before dark. It took me a little while to get my bearings in the new office, but after a week, I felt as if I'd been working there for years.