muster my courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "muster my courage" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when someone is confronting a challenge that is causing them to feel fear or apprehension. Example sentence: Despite feeling scared, I managed to muster my courage and take the stage.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, I mustered my courage and asked him what we should talk about onstage.

The New Yorker

PORTO, Portugal (AP) - Smoke hung heavily over this hilly city, broken by flickering flames, when I mustered my courage, plunged into the crowd and brought down my bright-green hammer on a stranger's head.

Huffington Post

My first reaction was a sinking feeling, "Ouch, today I am going to get fired for the blogs?" I mustered my courage and asked, "what would you like to know Frank Franknk said, "I like your blogs and you have a passion for stories, I would like you to move to Seattle and do it full time for the company".

Huffington Post

Anyway, I mustered up my courage and asked him for his autograph.

The Guardian - Sport

Though they didn't look like drivers, I mustered up my courage and said, "Excuse me!" but no answer.

The New York Times

Mustering up my courage, I emailed her, acknowledging the challenge of making in-the-moment decisions but letting her know I felt hurt and mistrusted.

Harvard Business Review

I did exactly that and a couple of years later I mustered up my courage to go back to the very same guy who booked me in the Inc. event before.

Forbes

I mustered all of my courage and agreed to try corn.

HuffPost

When I left high school confused and unsure of everything my guidance counselor assured me that it would all work out, if I could just muster the courage to follow my dreams.

Forbes

All I needed was to muster the courage to touch the chair and then my concerns could flow from my mouth, respected by the crowd that encircled me.

Huffington Post

"I muster the courage to come and work here to help save my community.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "muster my courage" when you want to emphasize the internal effort required to overcome fear or hesitation before undertaking a difficult task. It suggests a conscious decision to be brave.

Common error

Avoid substituting "muster" with "matter", as they have completely different meanings. "Muster" refers to gathering or summoning something, while "matter" pertains to substance or significance. Ensure you use "muster" when expressing the act of summoning courage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "muster my courage" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of gathering or summoning one's bravery. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is often used when confronting a challenge that induces fear or apprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "muster my courage" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies the act of summoning bravery to face a daunting situation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is particularly common when individuals are confronted with challenges that evoke fear or apprehension. The phrase is typically found in neutral contexts such as news and media, but it can be adapted across various situations. While alternatives such as "gather my courage" or "summon my courage" exist, "muster my courage" effectively conveys the internal effort needed to prepare for a difficult task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather my courage

Focuses on the act of bringing together one's inner strength.

summon my courage

Emphasizes a deliberate calling forth of bravery from within.

find my courage

Suggests a discovery of courage that was perhaps hidden or lost.

steel myself

Implies a hardening of resolve, preparing for something difficult.

pluck up my courage

An idiomatic expression highlighting the effort required to be brave.

brace myself

Indicates mental preparation for an impact or challenge.

nerve myself

Focuses on gaining the necessary composure to act.

prepare myself

Highlights the act of getting ready mentally and emotionally.

work up my courage

Suggests a gradual increase in bravery over time.

take heart

A more general phrase encouraging bravery and hope.

FAQs

What does "muster my courage" mean?

The phrase "muster my courage" means to gather or summon the bravery and resolve needed to face a challenging or frightening situation.

How can I use "muster my courage" in a sentence?

You can use "muster my courage" in sentences like: "Before speaking in front of the crowd, I had to muster my courage" or "She mustered her courage and asked him on a date."

What are some alternatives to "muster my courage"?

Alternatives to "muster my courage" include "gather my courage", "summon my courage", or "find my courage", all suggesting the act of collecting bravery.

Is it more correct to say "muster my courage" or "muster up my courage"?

Both "muster my courage" and "muster up my courage" are acceptable. The inclusion of "up" slightly intensifies the effort involved in gathering courage, but the core meaning remains the same.