screw up courage

screw up (one's) courage

To emotionally prepare oneself to do a frightening or overwhelming task. I'm really nervous about asking Sarah out on a date, but I just need to screw up my courage and go through with it.

See also: courage, screw, up

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

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: courage, screw, up

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

pluck/screw/summon up (your/the) ˈcourage (to do something)

force yourself to be brave enough to do something: I had liked her for a long time, and eventually I plucked up the courage to ask her out. ♢ I finally screwed up my courage and went to the dentist.

See also: courage, pluck, screw, summon, up

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017