brace himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brace himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when someone is preparing for something difficult or unpleasant. Example: "As the news broke, he had to brace himself for the reactions of his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well, Henry had better brace himself.

The Guardian - Sport

He had not had time to brace himself.

The New York Times

Cahill put his hand out to brace himself on the doorframe.

The New Yorker

Sweeney said Hazell was hurt when he fell and tried to brace himself.

The New York Times - Sports

With that, Mr. Romney turns around, clutching a seat to brace himself.

The New York Times

So Conan Doyle might want to brace himself, wherever he is.

The New York Times

One officer appeared to brace himself against his SUV as grief overcame him.

The Washington Post

On Sunday, Krzyzewski warned Butler Coach Brad Stevens to brace himself for a transformation.

The New York Times - Sports

My seatmate, who had been dozing, reached out to brace himself.

The Washington Post

And in an effort to get free, Ainge used his right hand to brace himself.

The New York Times - Sports

He managed nevertheless to brace himself and father four children, Wieland, Friedelind, Wolfgang and Verena.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brace himself" when you want to convey a sense of anticipation for a difficult or unpleasant event. It's stronger than simply "prepare" and implies a need for resilience.

Common error

Avoid using "brace himself" in overly casual situations where a simple "prepare" or "get ready" would suffice. The phrase carries a certain weight and is best reserved for scenarios involving significant stress or impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brace himself" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of preparing oneself, either physically or mentally, for an impending event, usually one that is difficult or unpleasant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sports

20%

Literature

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brace himself" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe preparing for a difficult or unpleasant event. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, and its prevalence across news, sports, and literary contexts demonstrates its broad applicability. While suitable for formal writing, it's best reserved for situations involving significant stress or impact, avoiding overuse in casual contexts. Related phrases include "prepare himself" and "steel himself", offering subtle variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare himself

Indicates readiness for an event or task; focuses more on mental preparation.

steel himself

Emphasizes mental fortitude and emotional resilience in anticipation of difficulty.

ready himself

A more general term for getting into a state of preparedness.

fortify himself

Suggests strengthening oneself, both mentally and physically, against potential adversity.

nerve himself

Focuses on gathering courage or mental strength to face a daunting task.

prepare for impact

Specifically denotes preparing for a collision or strong negative effect.

get ready

A basic, all-purpose way to describe preparing for something.

gear up

Implies actively equipping oneself, either literally or figuratively, for an upcoming challenge.

toughen up

Implies becoming more resilient or hardened in anticipation of difficulties.

gird his loins

An archaic idiom suggesting preparing for a strenuous or challenging task.

FAQs

How can I use "brace himself" in a sentence?

The phrase "brace himself" is used when someone prepares for a difficult or unpleasant situation. For example, "He had to brace himself for the bad news" or "She braced herself against the impact of the collision".

What are some alternatives to "brace himself"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare himself", "steel himself", or "ready himself" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "brace himself" in formal writing?

Yes, "brace himself" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing a situation requiring resilience or preparation for a significant challenge. However, consider alternatives if a more neutral tone is desired.

What's the difference between "brace himself" and "prepare himself"?

"Brace himself" implies a stronger sense of impending difficulty or impact, suggesting a need for resilience. "Prepare himself" is a more general term indicating readiness for any event, not necessarily negative.