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build up nerve

[/bɪld ʌp nɜːrv/]
verb phrase
ganhar coragem
1. to gradually accumulate the courage or confidence needed to do something difficult or scary
I need to build up nerve before asking her out on a date.
Preciso ganhar coragem antes de convidá-la para sair.
2. to mentally prepare oneself for a challenging or daunting task
He spent weeks building up nerve to give his first public speech.
Ele passou semanas se preparando mentalmente para fazer seu primeiro discurso público.
NYC Slang
buck up
Synonyms
pluck up couragemuster couragegather couragework up couragefind courage
Antonyms
lose nervechicken outlose courageback down

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ganhar coragem
most common usage in Brazil
General Brazilian
juntar coragem
alternative, equally used in Brazil
Portugal
ganhar coragem
standard usage in Portugal
Portugal
apanhar coragem
alternative regional variation

Related Idioms & Phrases

pluck up courage
steel oneself
take the bull by the horns
find one's backbone
get one's act together
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