nerve

nerve1 [ nɜrv ] noun **

1. ) count one of the groups of fibers in your body that carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body, communicating pain, pressure, feelings of heat and cold, etc.:

A pinched nerve is causing her a lot of pain.

cranial/peripheral nerves

2. ) uncount the ability to control your fear and remain determined when you are doing something difficult or dangerous: COURAGE:

the nerve to do something: She found the nerve to tell him he was wrong.

a lot of nerve: It took a lot of nerve for him to ask her out.

lose your nerve (=no longer be able to control your fear): Suddenly I lost my nerve and I couldn't move.

a ) nerves of steel the ability to control your fear and remain calm even in extremely dangerous or difficult situations

3. ) nerves plural a worried feeling that makes you afraid that you will not be able to do something well:

There's nothing really wrong with her, it's just nerves.

a case of nerves (=an occasion when you feel very worried): A case of nerves won't stop me from performing tonight.

calm someone's nerves: He asked for a drink to calm his nerves.

a ) battle/war of nerves a competition or fight in which someone tries to beat their opponent by making them worried or afraid

b ) get on someone's nerves if someone or something gets on your nerves, they make you feel annoyed or nervous:

His constant humming is really beginning to get on my nerves.

4. ) uncount a rude attitude, usually shown by behavior that makes other people angry:

have the nerve to do something: She had the nerve to call me a liar.

a lot of nerve/some nerve: You've got a lot of nerve, calling me at this time of night.

the nerve of someone (=used for showing anger or surprise at someone's rude behavior): The nerve of him, asking me for money!

touch/strike/hit etc. a (raw) nerve

to say or do something that annoys or hurts someone because they are sensitive about it

nerve

nerve 2 [ nɜrv ] verb transitive

to make someone, usually yourself, feel strong enough or ready to do something:

Finally she nerved herself to go and talk to him.