bracing

brace (oneself) for (something)

To physically or mentally prepare oneself for something, typically something that is imminent, in an attempt to limit any adverse impact. I braced myself for that big bump by holding onto the seat in front of me. I had braced myself for rejection, so hearing that I'd gotten the promotion was a very pleasant surprise! If you didn't do your homework, you better brace yourself for Ms. Lee's wrath.

See also: brace, for

brace aback

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship such that the wind pushes against the forward side of the sails, thus causing the ship to slow. We'll crash into those rocks if we don't slow down soon. Order the crew to brace aback, as quickly as possible! I had the men brace aback once I realized how fast we were moving. Brace aback, we're approaching the port.

See also: aback, brace

brace about

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship to the opposite position in order to tack to the other side or accommodate a change in the wind. The winds were so changeable that day that we spent more time bracing about than we did anything else. Have the crew brace about now that the winds are stronger. Leave the sails as they are for now, then brace about if the winds change.

See also: brace

brace abox

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship such that they are perpendicular to the oncoming wind, thus causing the ship to come to a stop. The captain ordered for the sails to be braced abox and for anchors to be dropped. Don't brace abox yet, wait till we're closer to the port and ready to disembark. A: "That island up ahead is our destination." B: "Let me know when to have the crew brace abox."

See also: brace

brace around

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship to the opposite position in order to tack to the other side or accommodate a change in the wind. The winds were so changeable that we spent most of the day bracing around for the other tack. Have the crew brace around now that the winds are stronger. Leave the sails as they are for now, then brace around if the winds change.

See also: around, brace

brace by

nautical, dated To turn the yards of different masts in opposite directions, usually so as to bring the ship to a stop. The captain ordered for the sails to be braced by and for anchors to be dropped. Don't brace by yet, wait till we're closer to the port and ready to disembark. A: "That island up ahead is our destination." B: "Let me know when to have the crew brace by."

See also: brace, by

brace in

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship such that they are square or nearly square, thus catching as much favorable wind as possible. We rushed to brace in as we felt the wind finally begin to pick up. Have the crew brace in as soon as the wind gets stronger. No, we can't brace in now, not with this little bit of wind.

See also: brace

brace round

nautical, dated To turn the yards of the ship to the opposite position in order to tack to the other side or accommodate a change in the wind. The winds were so changeable that we spent most of the day bracing round for the other tack. Have the crew brace round now that the winds are stronger. Leave the sails as they are for now, then brace round if the winds change.

See also: brace, round

brace up

1. To physically support, bolster, or reinforce someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "brace" and "up." That picture frame is broken, so I braced it up with a candle to keep it from falling over. What can we use to brace up this rickety old shed and keep it from blowing away? Do they have buckets bracing up the porch? Well, that's not an encouraging sight.

2. To physically or mentally prepare oneself, someone, or something for something, typically something that is imminent, in an attempt to limit any adverse impact. A noun or pronoun can be used between "brace" and "up." I braced myself up for that big bump by holding onto the seat in front of me. I had braced up for rejection, so hearing that I'd gotten the promotion was a very pleasant surprise! If you didn't do your homework, you better brace up for Ms. Lee's wrath.

See also: brace, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

brace someone or something up

to prop up or add support to someone or something. They braced the tree up for the expected windstorm. They braced up the tree again after the storm.

See also: brace, up

brace up

to take heart; to be brave. Brace up! Things could be worse. I told John to brace up because things would probably get worse before they got better.

See also: brace, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

brace up

Also, brace oneself. Summon up one's courage or resolve, as in Brace up, we don't have much farther to go, or Squaring his shoulders, he braced himself for the next wave. This idiom uses brace in the sense of "to bolster" or "to strengthen." The first term dates from the early 1700s, the variant from about 1500.

See also: brace, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

brace up

v.

1. To provide something or someone with additional support; prop up someone or something: We used plywood to brace up the wall paneling. The old tower would have fallen down if we hadn't braced it up.

2. To prepare or strengthen someone or something to face some challenge: We braced up the car for the road race. They gave me some encouraging words to brace me up for the interview. I'm glad you were braced up for your exams.

3. To summon one's strength or endurance; prepare to face a challenge: I spent all day bracing up for my performance in the concert that evening.

See also: brace, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.