work up the nerve to do — to gather the courage or confidence to do something difficult or scary
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to gather the courage or confidence to do something difficult or scary
Pronunciation (IPA): /wɜːrk ʌp ðə nɜːrv tu duː/
Example Sentences
- It took me three cups of coffee to work up the nerve to call my ex-girlfriend.
- She spent an hour in front of the mirror working up the nerve to cut her own bangs.
- I'm still working up the nerve to tell my parents about my tattoo.
work up the nerve to do
NOUN[/wɜːrk ʌp ðə nɜːrv tu duː/]
to gather the courage or confidence to do something difficult or scary
💡 Concept
to gather the courage or confidence to do something difficult or scary
🎵 Rhyme
Work up the nerve, follow the curve, and boldly serve!
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🎤Pronunciation
🇺🇸 US/wɜːrk ʌp ðə nɜːrv tu duː/
🇬🇧 UK/wɜːk ʌp ðə nɜːv tu duː/
🌳Etymology
🎵Rhyme
nerveservecurve
nerve
serve
curve
🔗Collocations
work up the nerve to confess
work up the nerve to quit
work up the nerve to apologize
work up the nerve to speak up
finally work up the nerve
never work up the nerve
📝Examples
😄 Fun example
“It took me three cups of coffee to work up the nerve to call my ex-girlfriend.”
😄 Fun example
“She spent an hour in front of the mirror working up the nerve to cut her own bangs.”
“I'm still working up the nerve to tell my parents about my tattoo.”
“He worked up the nerve to give a presentation in front of 200 people.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
gather couragepluck up couragesummon couragebuild up confidencemuster bravery
Antonyms
lose nervechicken outback down
Related
take couragebe braveface fearsovercome anxiety
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