nerves of steel
Great bravery, courage, or composure.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The pilot has nerves of steel.”
“You need nerves of steel to perform surgery in such a high-pressure environment.”
“Only a leader with nerves of steel could remain calm while the entire project collapsed around them.”
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balls of steel
Courage, audacity.
- 02
bundle of nerves
A person with an especially nervous, excitable, or fearful disposition.
- 03
get on someone's nerves
To annoy or irritate someone; to bother someone.
- 04
hold one's nerve
To stay calm facing nervousness.
- 05
touch a nerve
To make a remark or perform a deed which produces a strong response, especially an emotional response such as anxiety or annoyance, because it calls to mind something which has been a source of concern or embarrassment.
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war of nerves
Warfare characterized by psychological manipulation, involving tactics intended to demoralize, frighten, and unnerve opponents in order to prompt surrender.
Last updated August 10, 2026