muster the courage

USAGE SUMMARY

'muster the courage' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean the act of gathering one's courage or strength to do something. For example: "I had to muster the courage to tell him how I truly felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surely the F.E.C. can muster the courage to shoot that down.

The New York Times

The payoff could be huge if their leaders muster the courage to resolve their differences.

The New York Times

So how do people like Moceanu or Medina muster the courage to assume the whistleblower mantle?

The Washington Post

Still, most companies have no choice but to muster the courage to do it.

Harvard Business Review

If politicians muster the courage, similar results can been realized in the case of drugs.

The New York Times

Then there was that element harder to quantify and harder still to muster: the courage.

The New York Times

Whether he'll muster the courage to, or even be allowed to, is another matter.

The New York Times

But so far, I can't muster the courage to hang out with a bunch of kids.

The New York Times

Too bad he couldn't muster the courage to do the same in the rest of the bill.

The Economist

Before long, they muster the courage to approach McElroy, often asking for a photograph or an autograph.

The New York Times - Sports

"If you're older than that, you have to muster the courage to ask your family how things work".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "muster the courage" when you want to emphasize the effort required to overcome fear or reluctance and take action.

Common error

Avoid using "muster the courage" interchangeably with phrases like "find courage" when the situation implies a sudden, less deliberate act of bravery. "Muster" implies a deliberate gathering of inner resources.

Linguistic Context

Muster the courage functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, expressing the action of gathering or summoning one's bravery in the face of fear or adversity. Ludwig confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "muster the courage" is a frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of gathering one's bravery to face a challenging or frightening situation. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various audiences. When seeking alternatives, consider options such as "gather your courage" or "summon your bravery" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather your courage

Emphasizes the act of collecting or bringing together one's inner strength.

summon your bravery

Focuses on calling forth a quality of bravery that already exists within.

find the strength

Highlights the discovery of inner power needed to face a challenge.

pluck up the courage

Implies a sudden act of gathering courage, often to overcome hesitation.

steel yourself

Suggests mentally preparing oneself for a difficult or unpleasant situation.

brace yourself

Similar to steeling oneself, but with a stronger connotation of anticipating impact.

nerve oneself

To prepare oneself to do something unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous.

get up the nerve

To summon enough courage or confidence to do something that one finds difficult or frightening.

take heart

Encourages one to be brave and optimistic, often in the face of adversity.

show some spine

Implies that one is lacking courage and needs to demonstrate firmness.

FAQs

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

You can use "muster the courage" to describe gathering strength to face a daunting task. For example, "She had to muster the courage to speak in front of the crowd".

What phrases are similar to "muster the courage"?

Similar phrases include "gather your courage", "summon your bravery", or "find the strength". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "muster courage" without the article "the"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more idiomatic and common to say "muster the courage". Omitting "the" makes the phrase sound less natural.

What's the difference between "muster the courage" and "find the courage"?

"Muster the courage" implies a deliberate effort to gather inner strength, while "find the courage" suggests discovering an existing strength you didn't realize you had.