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
to gather the courage or confidence to do something difficult or scary
Work up the nerve, follow the curve, and boldly serve!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Work derives from Old English 'weorc', meaning labor or activity. Nerve comes from Latin 'nervus', originally denoting sinew or tendon, but developed the figurative meaning of courage or boldness from the 19th century onward, drawing from the anatomical sense of physical strength and resilience.
Breakdown
work (Old English 'weorc': labor) + up (directional particle: to elevate) + nerve (Latin 'nervus': courage, boldness). The phrase combines these elements to mean summoning or gathering one's courage to perform a difficult action.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“He worked up the nerve to give a presentation in front of 200 people.”
📚Related Words
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