courage (redirected from taking courage)

Dutch courage

unusual or artificial courage arising from the influence of alcohol. (Viewed by some as insulting to the Dutch.) It was Dutch courage that made the football fan attack the policeman. It will take a bit of Dutch courage to make an after-dinner speech.

See also: Dutch

get enough nerve up (to do something) and get enough courage up (to do something); get enough guts up (to do something); get enough pluck up (to do something); get enough spunk up (to do something); get the nerve up (to do something); get the courage up (to do something); get the guts up (to do something); get the pluck up (to do something); get the spunk up (to do something)

Fig. to work up enough courage to do something. I hope I can get enough nerve up to ask her for her autograph. I wanted to do it, but I couldn't get up enough nerve. I thought he would never get up the courage to ask me for a date.

See also: enough, get, nerve, up

have the courage of one's convictions

to have enough courage and determination to carry out one's goals. It's fine to have noble goals in life and to believe in great things. If you don't have the courage of your convictions, you'll never reach your goals. Jane was successful because she had the courage of her convictions.

See also: have

pluck up someone's courage

to bolster someone's, including one's own, courage. I hope you are able to pluck up your courage so that you can do what has to be done. Some good advice from a friend helped pluck up my courage.

See also: pluck, up

screw up one's courage

Fig. to build up one's courage. I guess I have to screw up my courage and go to the dentist. I spent all morning screwing up my courage to take my driver's test.

See also: screw, up

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Dutch courage  (humorous)

the confidence that you get by drinking alcohol before you do something that you are frightened of doing He had another drink to give him Dutch courage for what he might find at home.

See also: Dutch

have the courage of your convictions

to have the confidence to do or say what you think is right even when other people disagree Have the courage of your convictions - don't go out to work if you feel your children need you at home.

See screw up courage

See also: have

screw up your courage

to force yourself to be brave and do something that makes you nervous She screwed up her courage and asked to see the manager.

See also: screw, up

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have the courage of your/its convictions

to do or say what you think is right no matter who disagrees with you He has the courage of his convictions to do what is right even when other disagree. “What is needed is a political party with the courage of its convictions,” Chad said.

Related vocabulary: stand up and be counted

See also: have

screw up (your) courage also pluck up (your) courage

to force yourself to be brave Jimmy screwed up his courage and gave Lisa a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day.

See also: screw, up