# digital courage

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/digital-courage
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The sense of being able or emboldened to say something to someone over digital media (text, instant message, etc.) that one would not normally say face to face.

## Examples

- He used digital courage to send a brave text to his boss.
- I have enough digital courage to ask my crush out over a text.
- Online trolls often use digital courage to say mean things to strangers.
- She felt a sudden surge of digital courage and finally sent the message she had been avoiding for weeks.
- After two years of silence, she found the digital courage to send her former best friend an apology through a social media message.
- The customer showed a lot of digital courage by writing a harsh review, even though he was polite during the meal.
- The safety of the screen provided him with the digital courage to confront his colleague about the misunderstanding, a conversation he would have avoided in person.

## Origin

Attested from the late 20th century, the term is a modern formation modelled on the earlier Dutch courage or liquid courage. It replaces the traditional catalyst of alcohol with the anonymity of the computer screen.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.