worked up the nerve

USAGE SUMMARY

"worked up the nerve" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used when you want to convey that someone has built up enough courage or confidence to do something. For example, "It took me months to work up the nerve to ask her out on a date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The eggs, brownshelled and naked in the middle of a standard dinner plate, were delivered by Daria, a waitress I'd had my eye on, though I hadn't yet worked up the nerve to say more than hello and goodbye to her. "Your order, sir," she said, easing the plate down on the bar.

The New Yorker

Rubio said he finally worked up the nerve to ask.

The New York Times - Sports

She worked up the nerve to approach her boss at Vogue.

The Guardian

When I finally worked up the nerve to tell him, he instantly agreed.

The New York Times

Mr. Dowd finally worked up the nerve to approach Ms. Corcoran.

The New York Times

It was some time before he worked up the nerve to tell his brother.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He seemed to be working up the nerve to speak.

The New York Times - Magazine

How long before you work up the nerve to eat your dinner anyway?

The New York Times - Science

I'll often think of calling it to see if he came back alive, but I'll never work up the nerve.

The Guardian

And while he said he was still working up the nerve to contact them, he attended a football playoffs party, held in the building's media room, that he had discovered through the site.

The New York Times

(The pediatrician said that it might have been a bit early but that it seemed to be working, so why not continue?) Eventually, though, Ms. Vartanian did work up the nerve to express her reservations to the nanny directly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked up the nerve" to describe a situation where someone has hesitated due to fear or anxiety, but eventually overcomes it to take action.

Common error

Avoid using "worked up the nerve" when the action requires minimal effort or courage. This phrase is best suited for scenarios involving significant hesitation or fear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked up the nerve" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of summoning enough courage or resolve to do something. This is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples show it frequently precedes the action taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "worked up the nerve" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of gaining enough courage or resolve to do something that one was initially hesitant to do. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and the examples show it frequently used in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it’s important to ensure the action described warrants the implication of effort and courage. Alternatives such as "mustered the courage" or "summoned the bravery" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Overall, "worked up the nerve" is a valuable phrase for expressing the overcoming of hesitation and the subsequent action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mustered the courage

Focuses on gathering courage, emphasizing overcoming fear or hesitation.

summoned the bravery

Highlights the act of calling upon one's bravery, suggesting a conscious effort to be brave.

built up the courage

Highlights the gradual process of accumulating courage over time.

found the resolve

Emphasizes the discovery of determination and firm intention.

gained the confidence

Focuses on acquiring self-assurance, suggesting a gradual increase in certainty.

steeled oneself

Implies preparing oneself mentally and emotionally for a difficult task or situation.

braced oneself

Suggests preparing for an impact or shock, indicating anticipation of something challenging.

gotten the guts

Uses a more informal term for courage, suggesting a more casual or colloquial context.

taken a leap of faith

Emphasizes the risk involved, indicating a willingness to proceed despite uncertainty.

bit the bullet

Implies enduring something unpleasant or difficult with stoicism.

FAQs

How can I use "worked up the nerve" in a sentence?

You can use "worked up the nerve" to describe gaining enough courage to do something you were initially afraid or hesitant to do. For example, "After weeks of contemplation, she "worked up the nerve" to quit her job."

What are some alternatives to "worked up the nerve"?

Alternatives include "mustered the courage", "summoned the bravery", or "found the resolve". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "worked up the nerve"?

While grammatically correct, using "worked up the nerve" might be inappropriate if the action being described doesn't require significant courage or is trivial. Consider whether a simpler phrase might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "worked up the nerve" and "took the plunge"?

"Worked up the nerve" implies a period of hesitation and mental preparation, whereas "took the plunge" suggests a more sudden, decisive action, often involving risk.