lost his nerve

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost his nerve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone experiences a sudden loss of courage, self-confidence, or determination. For example: "As soon as he heard the news, he completely lost his nerve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead, he lost his nerve.

The New Yorker

He lost his nerve.

The New Yorker

But then Jean-Baptiste lost his nerve.

The New Yorker

He has lost his nerve".

The Guardian

But he lost his nerve.

The Guardian

Vuillard, after his early years, lost his nerve.

The New Yorker

Along the way he became afraid and lost his nerve.

The Economist

But by 1936 he had lost his nerve.

The New Yorker

So, maybe Nolte has temporarily lost his nerve.

The Guardian - Film

Frank has lost his nerve and lost his way.

The Guardian - Film

Even when he was two shots behind, he never lost his nerve.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost his nerve", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the loss of nerve and what the consequences were. This provides a richer and more informative description.

Common error

Avoid using "lost his nerve" when describing a gradual decline in skill or ability. This phrase is best suited for situations where there's a sudden failure of courage or resolve in a specific moment or event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost his nerve" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It describes a sudden inability to act due to fear or lack of confidence, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost his nerve" is a very common idiomatic phrase used to describe a sudden failure of courage or resolve. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its primary function is to explain why someone didn't proceed with a planned action, highlighting the psychological aspect. While suitable for neutral contexts like news and general writing, more formal or scientific contexts might require a more precise alternative. This phrase appears frequently in news and media sources. Related phrases include "chickened out" and "his courage failed him", offering alternative ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his nerve failed him

This is a more formal and literary way of saying that someone lost their courage.

lost his courage

This is a more straightforward and literal way of saying that someone became afraid or apprehensive.

chickened out

This alternative is more informal and suggests a sudden and perhaps cowardly retreat from a situation.

lost his resolve

This emphasizes the weakening of someone's determination or commitment.

backed down

This implies a retreat from a position or argument, often due to pressure or a change of heart.

got cold feet

This idiomatic expression means to become nervous or apprehensive before an important event or decision.

cracked under pressure

This suggests that someone was unable to cope with stress or expectations.

flinched

This suggests a momentary hesitation or shrinking away from something unpleasant or dangerous.

had a moment of weakness

This implies a temporary lapse in strength or willpower.

panicked

This suggests a sudden and overwhelming feeling of fear, leading to irrational behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "lost his nerve" in a sentence?

You can use "lost his nerve" to describe someone who suddenly becomes afraid or unable to proceed with something they intended to do. For instance: "He was about to jump, but he "lost his nerve" at the last second".

What's a more formal alternative to "lost his nerve"?

A more formal alternative is "his resolve faltered", which suggests a weakening of determination. Another possibility is to say "his courage failed him".

Is it correct to say "lose his nerve" or "lost his nerve"?

"Lost his nerve" is the past tense form, used to describe an event that has already happened. "Lose his nerve" is the infinitive form. For example, "He was afraid he would "lose his nerve"".

What's the difference between "lost his nerve" and "lost his confidence"?

"Lost his nerve" implies a sudden failure of courage or resolve in a specific situation, while "lost his confidence" suggests a more general decline in self-assurance over time or across multiple situations. For instance, he lost his confidence after multiple failures.