Brace yourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Brace yourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to prepare someone for an upcoming event or situation that may be challenging or surprising. Example: "Brace yourselves, everyone; the storm is about to hit our area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Brace Yourselves for Greek Orthodox Fashion Week.

Vice

Brace yourselves.

The New York Times

"Brace yourselves," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

Brace yourselves, Bats.

The New York Times

Brace yourselves, mateys!

The Guardian - Music

Brace yourselves for this headline.

The New York Times

"Brace yourselves, because the war with Muslims has just begun," he said.

The New York Times

Brace yourselves, perhaps, for Timberlands and Cherry Garcia T-shirts on Inauguration Day 2005.

The New York Times - Style

Brace yourselves, fellow Bond scholars, there is work to be done!

The New York Times

Brace yourselves, because this column is about the one thing which everyone is apparently far too scared to talk about: the female biological clock.

Independent

Brace yourselves for what may be the headline of the year: HOW JAMES BLUNT WILL SERENADE KATE AS SHE GIVES BIRTH.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Brace yourselves" to create anticipation or warn of an impending event, especially when the outcome is uncertain or potentially negative. It's best used when you want to add a bit of dramatic flair to your communication.

Common error

While effective, overuse of "Brace yourselves" can diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations that genuinely warrant a sense of anticipation or caution, rather than everyday occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Brace yourselves" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or urging a group to prepare themselves for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage, highlighting its role in setting a tone of anticipation or caution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Brace yourselves" is a commonly used imperative phrase that is grammatically correct and serves to prepare an audience for an impending event, often one that is challenging or surprising. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news and media contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives such as "prepare yourselves" or "get ready" can be employed in less dramatic scenarios. Remember to consider the context and the desired effect when choosing to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prepare yourselves

This is a more formal and direct version of the original phrase.

Steel yourselves

This suggests a need for emotional or mental fortitude in the face of adversity.

Prepare for impact

This suggests an impending collision or significant event.

Get ready

This is a more general and less dramatic way of telling someone to prepare.

Be prepared

This implies a state of readiness and anticipation for what's to come.

Get set

This phrase is commonly used to signal the start of something, implying readiness.

Prepare for the worst

This phrase implies an expectation of a negative outcome and a need to brace for disappointment.

Heads up

This is an informal way of warning someone about something.

Look out

This warns of imminent danger or something unexpected.

Take cover

This implies a need for physical protection from something dangerous.

FAQs

How can I use "Brace yourselves" in a sentence?

You can use "Brace yourselves" to prepare people for an upcoming challenge or significant event. For instance, "Brace yourselves, the final exam is next week!" or "Brace yourselves, the company's earnings report is due tomorrow."

What's the difference between "Brace yourselves" and "Prepare yourselves"?

"Brace yourselves" often implies an impending negative or challenging situation requiring resilience. "Prepare yourselves" is a more general call to readiness, applicable in both positive and negative contexts.

What can I say instead of "Brace yourselves"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "Get ready", "prepare for impact", or "steel yourselves".

When is it appropriate to use "Brace yourselves"?

It's appropriate to use "Brace yourselves" when you want to create a sense of anticipation or alert people to a potentially difficult or surprising situation. Use it when the event is significant enough to warrant a strong reaction.