Courage comes in many forms, and sometimes the English language expresses it through idioms – phrases that convey a deeper meaning than the literal words.
For more metaphors for courage, you can explore this link: Metaphors for courage. Additionally, if you’re interested in discovering similes for courage, you can find them here: Similes for courage.
What is an idiom for courage?
Idioms are expressions that might not make sense when taken literally but carry a specific meaning understood by native speakers.
Idioms for courage paint vivid pictures of facing challenges, standing firm, and embracing bravery.
Let’s delve into the meanings and usage of each idiom on our list.
Summary
| Idiom | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Bite the Bullet | Face a difficult situation with courage. | When the dentist told Tim he needed a root canal, he had to bite the bullet and schedule the appointment. |
| Take the Bull by the Horns | Confront a problem or challenge directly. | Rather than avoiding the issue, Sarah decided to take the bull by the horns and discuss her concerns with her teacher. |
| Brave as a Lion | Extremely brave or courageous. | Despite being scared of heights, Jake climbed to the top of the tree, showing he was as brave as a lion. |
| Steel One’s Nerves | Prepare mentally and emotionally for a challenging situation. | Before the big game, the athlete took a moment to steel his nerves and focus on the task ahead. |
| Show One’s Mettle | Demonstrate one’s ability to face difficulties with spirit and courage. | During the crisis, Maria showed her mettle by leading the team with calmness and determination. |
| Stand Tall | Face a difficult situation with confidence and courage. | Despite the criticism, Maya continued to stand tall and pursue her passion for art. |
| Face the Music | Confront the consequences of one’s actions bravely. | After accidentally breaking the window, Tom knew he had to face the music and admit what happened. |
| Have a Backbone | Possess the courage and determination to stand up for oneself. | In negotiations, it’s essential to have a backbone and assert your needs. |
| To Go Through Fire and Water | Endure any hardship or difficulty with courage. | Despite the challenges, the team was ready to go through fire and water to achieve their goal. |
| Show Some Backbone | Demonstrate courage and resilience. | In the face of adversity, it’s important to show some backbone and keep moving forward. |
| Stand Up to Something | Resist or confront a challenging situation. | Sarah decided to stand up to bullying by reporting it to the school authorities. |
| Pluck Up the Courage | Summon the courage needed to face a difficult task. | After weeks of hesitation, Mike finally plucked up the courage to ask Emily to the school dance. |
| Square One’s Shoulders | Face a challenge with determination and readiness. | Before the competition, the athlete squared his shoulders, ready to give his best performance. |
| Hold One’s Ground | Stand firm and not yield under pressure. | Despite the criticism, Lisa decided to hold her ground and stick to her beliefs. |
| Stick One’s Neck Out | Take a risk or make oneself vulnerable for a cause. | Alice decided to stick her neck out and speak up for the rights of animals in her community. |
| Rise to the Occasion | Meet the challenge or demands of a situation with courage. | When the team captain got injured, Tom had to rise to the occasion and lead the team to victory. |
| Throw Oneself into the Breach | Face a difficult situation or danger head-on. | Despite the uncertainties, the explorer threw himself into the breach, eager to discover what lay beyond. |
| Buck Up | Encourage oneself or others to face a challenging situation. | When the team was down, the coach urged them to buck up and give their best in the second half. |
| Keep a Stiff Upper Lip | Remain brave and resolute in the face of adversity. | Even though she was scared, Emma tried to keep a stiff upper lip during the storm. |
| Put One’s Best Foot Forward | Make a good impression by showing confidence and capability. | During the job interview, Alex aimed to put his best foot forward to secure the position. |
| Hold One’s Own | Maintain one’s position or defend oneself successfully. | Despite the competition, the small business managed to hold its own in the market. |
| Soldier On | Persist and continue despite difficulties. | Even after a setback, the team decided to soldier on and work towards their goal. |
| Pull Oneself Together | Regain composure and face a challenging situation with renewed strength. | After receiving disappointing news, Sarah took a moment to pull herself together before moving forward. |
| Take the Plunge | Take a bold and decisive step, often into the unknown. | Despite the uncertainties, Emily decided to take the plunge and start her own business. |
| Go Out on a Limb | Take a risk or make a bold decision. | The scientist decided to go out on a limb and propose a groundbreaking theory. |
| Stepping Up to the Plate | Take on a challenge or responsibility. | When the team needed a leader, Sarah was ready to step up to the plate and guide them. |
| Summon the Courage | Gather the inner strength needed to face a difficult situation. | Before the presentation, Jake had to summon the courage to speak in front of a large audience. |
Idioms for Courage
1. Bite the Bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
In a Sentence: When the dentist told Tim he needed a root canal, he had to bite the bullet and schedule the appointment.
2. Take the Bull by the Horns
Meaning: To confront a problem or challenge directly.
In a Sentence: Rather than avoiding the issue, Sarah decided to take the bull by the horns and discuss her concerns with her teacher.
3. Brave as a Lion
Meaning: Extremely brave or courageous.
In a Sentence: Despite being scared of heights, Jake climbed to the top of the tree, showing he was as brave as a lion.
4. Steel One’s Nerves
Meaning: To prepare mentally and emotionally for a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: Before the big game, the athlete took a moment to steel his nerves and focus on the task ahead.
5. Show One’s Mettle
Meaning: Demonstrate one’s ability to face difficulties with spirit and courage.
In a Sentence: During the crisis, Maria showed her mettle by leading the team with calmness and determination.
6. Stand Tall
Meaning: To face a difficult situation with confidence and courage.
In a Sentence: Despite the criticism, Maya continued to stand tall and pursue her passion for art.
7. Face the Music
Meaning: To confront the consequences of one’s actions bravely.
In a Sentence: After accidentally breaking the window, Tom knew he had to face the music and admit what happened.
8. Have a Backbone
Meaning: To possess the courage and determination to stand up for oneself.
In a Sentence: In negotiations, it’s essential to have a backbone and assert your needs.
9. To Go Through Fire and Water
Meaning: To endure any hardship or difficulty with courage.
In a Sentence: Despite the challenges, the team was ready to go through fire and water to achieve their goal.
10. Show Some Backbone
Meaning: To demonstrate courage and resilience.
In a Sentence: In the face of adversity, it’s important to show some backbone and keep moving forward.
11. Stand Up to Something
Meaning: To resist or confront a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: Sarah decided to stand up to bullying by reporting it to the school authorities.
12. Pluck Up the Courage
Meaning: To summon the courage needed to face a difficult task.
In a Sentence: After weeks of hesitation, Mike finally plucked up the courage to ask Emily to the school dance.
13. Square One’s Shoulders
Meaning: To face a challenge with determination and readiness.
In a Sentence: Before the competition, the athlete squared his shoulders, ready to give his best performance.
14. Hold One’s Ground
Meaning: To stand firm and not yield under pressure.
In a Sentence: Despite the criticism, Lisa decided to hold her ground and stick to her beliefs.
15. Stick One’s Neck Out
Meaning: To take a risk or make oneself vulnerable for a cause.
In a Sentence: Alice decided to stick her neck out and speak up for the rights of animals in her community.
16. Rise to the Occasion
Meaning: To meet the challenge or demands of a situation with courage.
In a Sentence: When the team captain got injured, Tom had to rise to the occasion and lead the team to victory.
17. Throw Oneself into the Breach
Meaning: To face a difficult situation or danger head-on.
In a Sentence: Despite the uncertainties, the explorer threw himself into the breach, eager to discover what lay beyond.
18. Buck Up
Meaning: To encourage oneself or others to face a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: When the team was down, the coach urged them to buck up and give their best in the second half.
19. Keep a Stiff Upper Lip
Meaning: To remain brave and resolute in the face of adversity.
In a Sentence: Even though she was scared, Emma tried to keep a stiff upper lip during the storm.
20. Put One’s Best Foot Forward
Meaning: To make a good impression by showing confidence and capability.
In a Sentence: During the job interview, Alex aimed to put his best foot forward to secure the position.
21. Hold One’s Own
Meaning: To maintain one’s position or defend oneself successfully.
In a Sentence: Despite the competition, the small business managed to hold its own in the market.
22. Soldier On
Meaning: To persist and continue despite difficulties.
In a Sentence: Even after a setback, the team decided to soldier on and work towards their goal.
23. Pull Oneself Together
Meaning: To regain composure and face a challenging situation with renewed strength.
In a Sentence: After receiving disappointing news, Sarah took a moment to pull herself together before moving forward.
24. Take the Plunge
Meaning: To take a bold and decisive step, often into the unknown.
In a Sentence: Despite the uncertainties, Emily decided to take the plunge and start her own business.
25. Go Out on a Limb
Meaning: To take a risk or make a bold decision.
In a Sentence: The scientist decided to go out on a limb and propose a groundbreaking theory.
26. Stepping Up to the Plate
Meaning: To take on a challenge or responsibility.
In a Sentence: When the team needed a leader, Sarah was ready to step up to the plate and guide them.
27. Summon the Courage
Meaning: To gather the inner strength needed to face a difficult situation.
In a Sentence: Before the presentation, Jake had to summon the courage to speak in front of a large audience.
Here are ten quizzes based on the idioms mentioned in the article:
Quiz 1: Bite the Bullet
- What does the idiom “Bite the Bullet” mean?
a) Run away from a problem
b) Face a difficult situation with courage
c) Ignore challenges
Quiz 2: Steel One’s Nerves
- If someone is “steeling their nerves,” what are they doing?
a) Becoming more afraid
b) Preparing mentally for a challenge
c) Giving up
Quiz 3: Have a Backbone
- What trait does someone need to “have a backbone”?
a) Confidence
b) Laziness
c) Stubbornness
Quiz 4: Rise to the Occasion
- When do you “rise to the occasion”?
a) When you avoid challenges
b) When you meet a challenge with courage
c) When you fail to act
Quiz 5: Throw Oneself into the Breach
- What does it mean to “throw oneself into the breach”?
a) To avoid danger
b) To face a difficult situation head-on
c) To wait for others to solve the problem
Quiz 6: Buck Up
- What does it mean to “buck up”?
a) To encourage oneself or others to face a challenge
b) To give in to fear
c) To avoid challenges altogether
Quiz 7: Keep a Stiff Upper Lip
- What does it mean to “keep a stiff upper lip”?
a) To remain calm and brave in difficult situations
b) To cry and express emotions openly
c) To panic and lose control
Quiz 8: Pull Oneself Together
- What does it mean to “pull oneself together”?
a) To remain scattered and disorganized
b) To regain composure and face a challenge
c) To give up and walk away
Quiz 9: Take the Plunge
- What does it mean to “take the plunge”?
a) To avoid risks
b) To make a bold decision or take a bold step
c) To hesitate and procrastinate
Quiz 10: Summon the Courage
- What does it mean to “summon the courage”?
a) To give up when faced with difficulty
b) To gather the inner strength needed to face a challenge
c) To ignore problems and pretend they don’t exist
These quizzes should help reinforce the meanings of the idioms and test the reader’s understanding.
Conclusion
Courage is not just a word; it’s a series of actions, and these idioms beautifully capture the essence of facing challenges with determination.
