expression, ichidan verb
come to one's senses; wake up from a nightmare
Literally 'to wake from a nightmare', used figuratively for snapping out of a bad situation or delusion.
彼はようやく悪夢から覚めたように、自分の過ちに気づいた。
He finally realized his mistake, as if waking from a nightmare.
The incident served as a wake-up call for the nation.