lose courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose courage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which a person loses their strength to persist or to do something they initially wanted to do. Example sentence: After hours of struggling, she was starting to lose courage and thought she should just give up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Do not lose courage," the note said.

The Guardian

"If you are too sophisticated," he said, "you lose courage".

The New York Times - Magazine

I would lose momentum, perhaps lose courage altogether, and she might change her mind.

The New Yorker

"Don't be afraid to scream your suffering, but do not lose courage," the bishop said.

The Guardian

Her grades started to sag, the official Xinhua news agency said, "which put a lot of pressure on her and made her lose courage for life and study".

The New York Times

The women compare sorrows in an almost competitive way--Ida's great grandmother saw her sister being scalped, but she did not lose courage.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"That shows a little bit of not losing courage, I guess".

The New York Times - Sports

She lost courage and said that her husband had stayed home.

The New Yorker

But he must have lost courage, because those letters were never mailed.

The New Yorker

"We saw our professor and graduate supervisor there and immediately lost courage," one of them wrote on Twitter.

The New York Times

The diary ends on October 2nd: "No one had lost courage; with such comrades one should be able to manage under, I may say, any circumstances".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lose courage", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is losing courage to do. For example, specify "lose courage to speak up" instead of simply "lose courage."

Common error

Avoid using "lose courage" when the intended meaning is a general lack of bravery unrelated to a specific action. Opt for phrases like "lack bravery" or "be timid" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose courage" functions as a verb phrase, often used with a subject to describe the act of losing bravery or resolve. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples show this phrase commonly expressing a decline in confidence or willingness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose courage" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies a decline in bravery or resolve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While synonymous with terms like "lose heart" or "become discouraged", its effective use requires clear context regarding the specific action one is losing courage to do. Avoiding its use in general contexts where a lack of bravery is implied is crucial for precision. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for expressing diminishing willingness in specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose heart

A common idiom that means to become discouraged and lose enthusiasm.

become discouraged

Focuses on the emotional impact of losing courage, emphasizing disappointment.

give way to fear

Highlights the emotion that replaces courage, specifically fear.

grow timid

Focuses on the increasing lack of confidence and bravery.

succumb to apprehension

Emphasizes yielding to anxiety or worry as a result of losing courage.

become fainthearted

Implies a loss of boldness and an increase in fear or hesitation.

relinquish resolve

Indicates abandoning determination or a firm decision.

waver in determination

Suggests a fluctuating commitment or resolve.

abandon hope

Emphasizes the loss of a positive outlook or expectation.

run out of steam

Suggests a loss of energy or motivation to continue.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose courage"?

To "lose courage" means to lose the willingness or bravery to do something, often because of fear or difficulty. It implies a previous state of courage that has diminished.

How can I use "lose courage" in a sentence?

You can use "lose courage" like this: "After seeing the difficult climb ahead, he began to "lose courage"." It shows a diminishing resolve.

What are some synonyms for "lose courage"?

Synonyms for "lose courage" include "become discouraged", "lose heart", and "give way to fear". These phrases all suggest a decline in bravery or willingness.

Is it better to say "lost courage" or "loses courage"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Lost courage" is past tense (e.g., "He lost courage"), while "loses courage" is present tense, third-person singular (e.g., "He loses courage when facing challenges").