screw up courage

screw up one's courage

Fig. to build up one's courage. I guess I have to screw up my courage and go to the dentist. I spent all morning screwing up my courage to take my driver's test.

screw up (your) courage

also pluck up (your) courage

to force yourself to be brave Jimmy screwed up his courage and gave Lisa a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day.

screw up your courage

to force yourself to be brave and do something that makes you nervous She screwed up her courage and asked to see the manager.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Valentina	vah-len-TEE-nah (Italian), vah-lyen-TEE-nah (Russian), vah-leen-TEE-nah (Russian)	Italian, Russian, Slovene, Croatian, Macedonian, Romanian, Spanish, Ancient Roman
Burt	[bɜ:t]
Rini	-	Dutch
Hesiod	HES-ee-əd (English), HEE-see-əd (English)	Ancient Greek (Anglicized)
TorbjØRg	-	Norwegian
Applethwaite	['æplθweit]