Practice 20 English Idioms of Courage

20 English Idioms of Courage

More idioms: Learn 12 English Idioms of Patience

How courageous are you? Do you always try to put on a brave face when you are upset? (Not show your negative emotions.) Do you take risks, believing that fortune favours the brave? (If you are brave, you have more chance of success.) Do you need to pluck up the courage to do a difficult task? (Prepare mentally for the difficult challenge ahead.) Whatever you have to face, don’t lose your nerve (stay focused and strong) and never say die (don’t give up)! This handy list of 20 English idioms of courage will help you understand common sayings and expressions in English about courage!

[Click here to learn more about how to use idioms in teaching English.]

1. idiom: Put on a brave face.

literal meaning: Try not to look sad or disappointed.

example: Since my husband died I’ve been trying to put on a brave face for my children, but I just can’t do it any more.

2. idiom: Take heart.

literal meaning: Be encouraged.

example: ‘If I don’t pass this course, I could lose my job.’ ‘Take heart, Mike. Everything is gonna be OK.’

3. idiom: Chin up!

literal meaning: Don’t be down – be positive.

example: ‘I haven’t paid the gas bill – and it’s overdue; the kids always need new clothes, so… You know, I haven’t slept properly for weeks; I can’t cope…’ ‘Chin up. It can’t be all bad.’

4. idiom: Face [up to] your fears.

literal meaning: Confront what you fear – don’t avoid it.

example: ‘I know I’ve been avoiding talking to my boss about my illness, ‘cos I’m afraid of what he might say.’ ‘It’s time to face up to your fears, Marta. Just tell him!’

5. idiom: Who dares wins.

literal meaning: If you are brave and take a risk, you will succeed.

example: ‘I don’t know whether I dare ask Sally to the Valentines’ Day ball. I bet so many guys have already asked her.’ ‘You won’t stand a chance if you don’t try, Paul. Remember: who dares wins!

6. idiom: Fortune favours the brave.

literal meaning: If you are brave, you have more chance of succeeding.

example: ‘Is it a good idea to set up a new restaurant business right now, Gary?’ ‘Why not? Go for it! Fortune favours the brave.’

7. idiom: Have the courage of your convictions.

literal meaning: Be brave enough to live out your principles.

example: ‘I really think we shouldn’t serve meat at the barbecue. As a vegan it goes against all of my principles. But will anybody come?’ ‘It doesn’t matter, dear. You must have the courage of your convictions!’

8. idiom: Pluck up the courage to do sth.

literal meaning: Prepare yourself mentally to do sth that you are afraid of doing.

example: ‘What’s up?’ ‘I’m trying to pluck up the courage to call Sarah. We had a massive row, and not I’ve got knots in my stomach.’

9. idiom: Screw your courage to the sticking place.

literal meaning: Prepare yourself to do sth brave (crossbow metaphor – Lady Macbeth to Macbeth).

example: ‘Tomorrow’s the day of the concert. I’m so nervous about performing.’ ‘Screw your courage to the sticking place!‘ ‘Oh – you’re so dramatic, Albert!’

10. idiom: Be a man!

literal meaning: Act like a man, according to the stereotype of strong, decisive masculine behaviour.

example: ‘Can you get rid of this spider for me? It’s huge.’ ‘Can’t you do it? Use a shoe. I’m, er, terrified of spiders.’ ‘Oh, Simon! Be a man – for goodness’ sake!’

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11. idiom: Need a little Dutch courage.

literal meaning: Dutch courage = alcohol, which is drunk to give courage before a difficult encounter.

example: ‘Dad, why are you drinking beer at four in the afternoon?’ ‘I need a little Dutch courage before your mother gets back from the shops.’ ‘Why?’ ‘We had a massive row this morning.’

12. idiom: Faint heart never won fair maiden.

literal meaning: You won’t achieve your dreams unless you are brave.

example: ‘I want to ask Betty out for drink, but I’m scared she’ll reject me.’ ‘Come on, lad. Be brave! Faint heart never won fair maiden.’

13. idiom: It’s now or never!

literal meaning: Either do it now or just forget about doing it.

example: ‘Look, you wanted to go sky-diving in the first place! Just jump, Annabel! It’s now or never!‘

14. idiom: Be as bold as brass.

literal meaning: Be very confident / bold to the point of being brazen (shameless).

example: ‘Look – just tell the tutor that she’s wrong and that your assignment deserves a higher mark. Go up to her – bold as brass – and demand that she re-marks it!’

15. idiom: [Don’t] lose your nerve.

literal meaning: Concentrate on being brave; don’t turn back from doing a difficult thing; or ‘lose your nerve’ = not do a difficult thing due to fear.

example: ‘We need to keep going until we reach the top of the mountain ridge. We can’t go back now. There’s no way back. Don’t look down – and don’t lose your nerve!‘

16. idiom: Take a lot of guts to do sth.

literal meaning: This particular act requires a lot of bravery.

example: ‘After three days, little Brian finally went to the headteacher and told her that it was he who had broken the school grand piano. You know, it took a lot of guts to do that.’ ‘I know.’

17. idiom: Never say die!

literal meaning: Don’t give up!

example: ‘I think that was our band’s final performance. It was dire and we need to call it a day [end the band].’ ‘Hey! Don’t give up, man! Your band will play again – it has to! Never say die!‘

18. idiom: Don’t talk the talk unless you can walk the walk.

literal meaning: Don’t boast about doing something brave and then back out of doing it.

example: ‘I don’t see what’s so great about the military… I could do what they do. It’s not that hard to fly out to some foreign land and mess about with guns…’ ‘Hey! Don’t talk the talk unless you can walk the walk.‘

19. idiom: Discretion is the better part of valour.

literal meaning: Sometimes it is better to avoid conflict rather than to confront it bravely.

example: ‘No! Don’t stop me! I’m gonna go and talk to those neighbours about their bratty kids –  makin’ a noise all day and sprayin’ graffiti everywhere.’ ‘I wouldn’t be too rash, Harold. Remember – discretion is the better part of valour.’

20. idiom: ‘Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.’ – Franklin P. Jones.

literal meaning: You are being truly brave when nobody else realises how afraid you are.

example: ‘When your kid’s afraid of the thunderstorm in the night, it’s your duty to comfort him and tell him it’s alright – even if you’re a little scared as well. As the saying goes, ‘Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid.”

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