courage
The ability to do something that is scary, hard, or painful, without letting fear stop you.
The mental strength that allows a person to face fear, danger, pain, or great difficulty without giving up.
The inner strength to do the right thing or make a hard personal choice, even when you are afraid.
The strength of character that enables someone to do what is morally right or emotionally difficult, especially when it is unpopular or personally risky.
- Base: courage
- Plural: courage
Dutch courage
1courage from drinking alcohol
Bravery or confidence that a person feels only because they have drunk alcohol.
- He had to rely on Dutch courage to get through his speech.
- Without Dutch courage, I doubt he would have said anything.
- A little Dutch courage helped her walk up to the microphone.
have the courage to
1possess enough courage to act
To be brave enough to do something that is difficult, scary, or uncomfortable.
- She finally had the courage to ask for a pay raise.
- Do you have the courage to tell him what really happened?
- He never had the courage to follow his dream.
liquid courage
1alcohol that boosts confidence
Alcohol that makes a person feel more brave or confident than usual.
- He needed a bit of liquid courage before getting on stage.
- After some liquid courage, she finally talked to her crush.
- Try to face the interview without relying on liquid courage.
lose courage
1stop feeling brave
To stop feeling brave and confident, usually because something seems too hard or frightening.
- He almost lost courage when he saw how many people were in the audience.
- She began the project full of energy but quickly lost courage when the problems appeared.
- Don’t lose courage now; you’re very close to the finish line.
take courage
1become braver or more hopeful
To become braver or more hopeful, especially when someone or something gives you new strength.
- She took courage from her friends’ support and decided to go ahead with the plan.
- Hearing that others had survived similar operations allowed him to take courage.
- The team took courage from their early success in the game.
the courage of your convictions
1bravery to act on beliefs
The courage to do what you really believe is right, even when other people disagree or it causes problems for you.
- She always shows the courage of her convictions and speaks out against injustice.
- Having the courage of your convictions can make you unpopular but respected.
- He lacked the courage of his convictions and stayed silent during the vote.
work up the courage
1build up courage over time
To slowly make yourself feel brave enough to do something difficult or scary.
- It took him weeks to work up the courage to ask her out.
- She is still working up the courage to quit her job.
- He couldn’t work up the courage to tell his parents the news.
pluck up the courage
1Force yourself to be brave enough
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
- He finally plucked up the courage to ask her out.
- I need to pluck up the courage to speak to my boss about a raise.
- She plucked up the courage and jumped into the cold water.
pluck up the courage
2gather enough courage to act
To slowly get enough courage to do something that you feel nervous or afraid to do.
- I finally plucked up the courage to call her.
- He plucked up the courage to speak in front of the whole class.
- After months of hesitation, she plucked up the courage and changed careers.
screw up your courage
1force yourself to be brave
To push yourself to be brave enough to do something you really do not want to do because it is scary or embarrassing.
- He screwed up his courage and knocked on the director’s door.
- I finally screwed up my courage to give a speech in English.
- She screwed up her courage and told them she was leaving.
screw up your courage
2gather courage to do something
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
- She finally screwed up her courage and asked for a raise.
- He screwed up his courage and stepped onto the stage.
summon up the courage
1find courage to do something hard
To make yourself feel brave enough to do something that is difficult or scary.
- He couldn’t summon up the courage to tell her the truth.
- I’m trying to summon up the courage to quit my job and move abroad.
summon up the courage
2deliberately call on your courage
To make a strong effort to feel brave enough to do something hard or frightening.
- She summoned up the courage to speak to her manager.
- He finally summoned up the courage to visit the dentist after years of avoiding it.
- I’m trying to summon up the courage to move to another country.