take one's courage in both hands
To summon up one's courage in readiness for a difficult or dangerous action.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She took her courage in both hands and finally asked for a raise.”
“You take your courage in both hands and jump into the cold water.”
“He took his courage in both hands before walking onto the stage to give his first public speech.”
“I took my courage in both hands and told my best friend that I disagreed with their decision to quit.”
“After weeks of silence, the neighbors took their courage in both hands and knocked on the door to complain about the noise.”
“Facing the daunting prospect of the interview, she took her courage in both hands and stepped into the room to confront her future.”
The expression is a calque of the French *prendre son courage à deux mains*. It entered the English lexicon as a direct translation of the French phrase, maintaining the imagery of a physical exertion required to gather one's resolve. Beyond this comparative linguistic link, the record offers no specific date of introduction or individual attribution.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026