From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpresence of mindˌpresence of ˈmind noun [uncountable] CALMthe ability to deal with a dangerous situation calmly and quicklyhave the presence of mind to do something I’m glad she had the presence of mind to take down the car’s registration number.
Examples from the Corpus
presence of mind• Now that Walter had the strength and presence of mind to be leading differently, the board somehow responded differently too.• I had enough presence of mind left to feel sorry for him and was ready to intercede on his behalf.• Indeed, she had scarcely enough presence of mind to return Sybil's bright smile and bid farewell to the genial innkeepers.• But he had some presence of mind.• Koju had had the presence of mind to bribe a local policeman into accompanying us.• Fortunately we had the presence of mind to turn the radio on to another station before opening the door.• Somehow I managed to have the presence of mind to photograph her going into the house.• With his usual presence of mind he nipped back and picked up Sheldukher's hard copy map of the planet.have the presence of mind to do something• Somehow I managed to have the presence of mind to photograph her going into the house. 