she has nerve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she has nerve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who shows boldness or audacity, often in a surprising or unexpected way. Example: "I can't believe she confronted the manager about the unfair treatment; she really has nerve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She has nerve damage to her wrist.

The New Yorker

"She has nerve to do that".

The New York Times

"She has nerve damage, and she is unable to sustain notes, and she has problems standing for long periods — all the physical requirements necessary to perform in an opera".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She has nerves of steel and will outfight thugs triple her size.

The New York Times

"In our family, my wife was the musical director, Lauren the auditioner — she has nerves of steel — and Jake was the dancer.

Los Angeles Times

In broken English — she has been trying to learn the language for the past eight months from her Australian caddie — Shin said she had nerves but did not show them because she smiled more when she felt pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

We hugged she had a really warm hug and I could feel she had nerves, too.

Vice

She still has nerve damage in her legs and other symptoms.

Forbes

Say this for Tian: He has nerve.

Forbes

Or is it because she has the nerve to say that she detests seeing her face on H&M department store ads around town, but would rather make money that way than in bad movies?

The New York Times - Style

Since then she has tried nerve blocks and prolotherapy injections to ease the pain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she has nerve" to describe someone who acts boldly or audaciously, especially when their actions are unexpected or surprising. For example, "I can't believe she asked for a raise after only a month; she really has nerve".

Common error

Be mindful of the context. While "she has nerve" can admire boldness, it often carries a negative connotation, implying impudence or disrespect. Ensure your intended meaning aligns with the audience's perception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she has nerve" functions as a comment on someone's behavior, often highlighting their audacity or boldness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase. It expresses a judgment about the person's actions, which can be either positive or negative depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she has nerve" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe someone exhibiting boldness or audacity. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a valid phrase, though often carrying a slightly negative connotation implying impudence. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with limited presence in other areas. While several alternatives exist – such as "she has audacity" or "she has the gall" – the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. It's important to consider the potential negative implications and ensure the context clarifies the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she has audacity

Replaces "nerve" with a synonym emphasizing boldness and disregard for social norms.

she has the gall

Substitutes "nerve" with "gall", suggesting impudence or brazenness.

she has the cheek

Replaces "nerve" with "cheek", implying impudence or effrontery.

she's got some front

Uses a more colloquial expression implying audacity or impudence.

she's got a lot of sass

Emphasizes a spirited and confident attitude, often with a hint of defiance.

she's incredibly brazen

Replaces the phrase with an adjective emphasizing boldness and lack of shame.

she's remarkably audacious

Emphasizes the boldness and willingness to take risks.

she is fearless

Highlights the lack of fear or hesitation in her actions.

she's got guts

Implies courage and willingness to take risks.

she's bold as brass

Emphasizes extreme boldness and confidence.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "she has nerve"?

It typically means the person is acting boldly or audaciously, sometimes in a way that is considered disrespectful or surprising. It can imply admiration or disapproval depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "she has nerve"?

You can use alternatives like "she has audacity", "she has the gall", or "she is fearless" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she's got nerve"?

Yes, "she's got nerve" is a more informal way of saying "she has nerve" and is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation.

Does "she has nerve" always have a negative connotation?

Not always. While it often implies impudence or audacity, it can also express admiration for someone's boldness or willingness to take risks. The context determines the connotation.