brace yourself for

USAGE SUMMARY

"brace yourself for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to warn someone that something unpleasant or difficult is about to happen. For example: "Brace yourself for the impact of the storm that's about to hit!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brace yourself for more.

The New York Times

Brace yourself for confusion.

The New York Times - Food

Brace yourself for the consequences.

The New Yorker

Brace yourself for a shock, gentle theatergoer.

The New York Times

But the fifth week... Brace yourself for the fifth week".

The New Yorker

(Brace yourself for Abel at the Mattsons' housewarming party).

The New Yorker

Brace yourself for a season of nostalgia — lush, treacly nostalgia.

The New York Times - Sports

"Brace yourself for impact," he told the passengers.

The Guardian

Brace yourself for a big scoop of broccoli casserole.

The New York Times - Food

Brace yourself for another invocation before we're done.

The New York Times - Food

You brace yourself for a big Travolta moment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brace yourself for" when you want to prepare someone for a potentially negative, shocking, or intense experience. It's stronger than simply saying "prepare for".

Common error

While "brace yourself for" is versatile, avoid using it in overly casual or trivial situations. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your communication sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brace yourself for" functions as an idiomatic expression used to alert someone about an impending event or situation, often implying that it will be unpleasant, shocking, or impactful. As Ludwig examples show, it prompts a mental or emotional preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brace yourself for" is a versatile phrase used to prepare someone for an upcoming event, often with negative or shocking implications. As verified by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and general writing. While its tone is advisory, it maintains a neutral register. Consider alternative phrases such as "prepare yourself for" or "be prepared for" depending on the context. Remember to use the phrase thoughtfully, avoiding overuse in trivial situations to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare for what's coming

Focuses on the act of getting ready, emphasizing anticipation of an approaching event.

get ready for what's about to happen

Highlights the imminence of the event, urging immediate preparation.

steel yourself for

Implies a need for emotional or mental fortitude to face something difficult.

prepare yourself for

Similar to "brace yourself", but may suggest a broader range of preparations, not just emotional.

be prepared for

A general call to readiness, less forceful than "brace yourself".

get ready to experience

Focuses on the forthcoming experience, suggesting something noteworthy.

look out for

Advises vigilance and awareness, often implying a potential danger or surprise.

expect

A more direct way of indicating what is likely to occur, without necessarily implying preparation.

anticipate

Focuses on foreseeing and expecting something.

get set for

Informal way of saying 'prepare for'.

FAQs

How can I use "brace yourself for" in a sentence?

You can use "brace yourself for" to prepare someone for something potentially unpleasant or surprising. For example, "Brace yourself for a long wait at the airport" or "Brace yourself for some tough questions during the interview".

What's a less intense alternative to "brace yourself for"?

If you want a less forceful way to prepare someone, you could use phrases like "be prepared for", "expect", or "get ready for" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "brace yourself for" in formal writing?

While "brace yourself for" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, more neutral alternatives like "prepare for" or "anticipate" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "brace yourself for" and "get ready for"?

"Brace yourself for" often implies an impending negative or challenging situation, while "get ready for" is more general and can be used for both positive and negative events.