nerve1 nounnerve2 verb
nervenerve1 /nɜːv $ nɜːrv/ ●●○ S3 W3 noun 
WORD ORIGINnerve1
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin nervusEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After a three day siege the kidnapper's nerve failed and he gave himself up to the police.
- I injured a nerve in my foot playing volleyball.
- In a scary situation like that you need someone with plenty of nerve.
- It takes a lot of nerve to report a colleague for sexual harassment.
- All nerve fibres and terminals present seemed normal in number and morphology.
- But too much plaid gets on the nerves.
- Chiropractic Practitioners deal with the structural relationships between the nerve tissues and the spinal column.
- Finally I got up the nerve to check him into the state treatment center up north.
- Hypothyroidism may affect equilibrium by its effect on the eighth cranial nerve and on the peripheral nerves.
- The Sporting News recently had the nerve to name Woods the most powerful man in all of sports.
- This is not only simplistic but it is even ignorant of pain-provoking peripheral nerve fibres now known to exist in man.
- You got a lot of nerve.
Longman Language Activatorthe ability to behave bravely
the ability to behave bravely when you are in danger, suffering illness, or pain, or when other people are opposing you: · She showed great courage during her long illness.· Nelson Mandela will be remembered for his courage and integrity in the struggle against apartheid.take courage (=need courage): · Driving again after his accident must have taken a lot of courage.
the ability to behave bravely in a dangerous situation, for example during a war: · After the war, my uncle was awarded a medal for bravery.· Gina surprised us all with her bravery and endurance.· It was an act of the utmost bravery and disregard for personal safety.
informal the ability and determination to do something difficult or dangerous that other people are afraid to do: · I don't think he can possibly win, but you've got to admire his guts.have guts: · Whatever else you may say about Sally, she certainly has guts.it takes guts to do something (=you need guts to do something): · It took guts and determination to overcome such a severe handicap.
the ability to remain calm and confident in a dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation: · In a scary situation like that you need someone with plenty of nerve.· After a three day siege the kidnapper's nerve failed and he gave himself up to the police.it takes a lot of nerve to do something (=you need a lot of nerve to do something): · It takes a lot of nerve to report a colleague for sexual harassment.
to be brave enough to do something · None of the other people were brave enough to stand up to him.· Maybe if you were brave enough to ask her out she'd go to a movie with you.· Anyone brave enough to get this far would then find an electrified fence blocking their way.
to be brave enough to do something that is dangerous or that you are afraid of doing -- used in questions, negatives, and sentences beginning with 'if': · My sister used to steal things from stores, but I would never dare.not dare (to) do something: · No one dared to go into the old house at night.· She was so high up now that she didn't dare look down.dare do something: · Dare we take this decision without consulting the Prime Minister?
to be brave enough to do something unpleasant or difficult that other people are afraid to do spoken: · I know he made a mistake, but at least he had the guts to admit it!· Sarah's the only one who has the guts to speak her mind.
to be calm and confident enough to do something that is frightening or dangerous: · Not many people have the nerve to stand up and speak in front of a large audience.· I can't believe he had the nerve to show up at the party after what he said about Janet.
to force yourself to be brave and do something that you are afraid of doing, after thinking about it for a long time: · I eventually plucked up the courage to tell my parents that I was going to go and live in Canada.· David loves Julie but he can't get up enough courage to ask her to marry him.
to decide not to do something because you are too frightened to suddenly lose the confidence and calmness that you need in order to do something dangerous or frightening: · Dan wanted to ask his boss for a day off but he lost his nerve at the last minute.· I stood at the top of the ski-slope for a minute then lost my nerve.
to not be brave enough to do something because you are afraid of what might happen if you do it: not dare do something: · The older boys used to bully me but I didn't dare complain.not dare to do something: · Billy stood on top of the rock, not daring to jump down.not dare: · I wanted to ask Dad for the money but I didn't dare.
spoken informal to not be brave enough to do something that you intended to do or said you would do: · I was supposed to make the introductory speech, but I chickened out at the last minute.chicken/wimp out of doing something: · She chickened out of telling her father that she and David were going to live together.
spoken to not be brave enough to do something that people think you should do: · He wouldn't have the guts to say that to me.· I planned to ask my boss for a raise but in the end I didn't have the guts.not have the guts to do something: · Peg has done all the things I never had the guts to try.be without/lack guts: · Joe's a weak character, without guts or ambition.· She's intelligent enough, but she lacks guts.
to not be brave or confident enough to do something because you think it is too difficult, dangerous or embarrassing: · I'd love to quit my job and go back to college but I don't have the nerve.not have the nerve to do something: · He doesn't have the nerve to tell the boss what he really thinks of her.
to do something rude without seeming ashamed or embarrassed also have the cheek British if someone has the nerve to do something, they do something that you think is so rude that you are surprised they did it: have the nerve to do something: · He forgot our anniversary and then had the nerve to ask what I got him when I reminded him about it.have a nerve/cheekBritish /have (some) nerve American: · He's got a cheek, coming back at midnight and then expecting me to cook his dinner.what a nerve/cheekBritish /what a nerve American: · What a nerve! I hope you didn't give him the money!
if someone has the gall to do something , they do something that you think is very rude and unreasonable: · I can't believe he had the gall to ask you for money.· Ruth was always on the phone and yet she had the gall to tell me off for making one call.
WORD SETSaerobic, adjectiveafterbirth, nounalgae, nounalimentary canal, nounamber, nounameba, nounamino acid, nounamoeba, nounanaconda, nounanaerobic, adjectiveandrogynous, adjectiveantibody, nounantigen, nounantitoxin, nounappendage, nounarm, nounarmour, nounasexual, adjectiveassimilation, nounatrophy, verbaviary, nounbacteria, nounbacteriology, nounbarnacle, nounbile, nounbinocular vision, nounbio-, prefixbiochemistry, nounbiodegradable, adjectivebiodiversity, nounbiohazard, nounbiological, adjectivebiological clock, nounbiology, nounbiomass, nounbiome, nounbiosphere, nounblind, nounbrain, nounbreathe, verbbreed, verbbreed, nounbreeding, nounbristle, nounbulb, nouncapsule, nouncarbohydrate, nouncarbon dioxide, nouncarnivore, nouncell, nouncellular, adjectivecellulose, nouncentral nervous system, nouncervical, adjectivecholesterol, nounchromosome, nouncirculation, nouncirculatory, adjectiveclass, nounclone, nouncold-blooded, adjectiveconceive, verbconch, nounconnective tissue, nouncopulate, verbcoral reef, nouncornea, nouncoronary, adjectivecorpuscle, nouncortex, nouncortisone, nouncowrie, nouncrab, nouncrawfish, nouncrayfish, nouncreature, nouncross, verbcrossbreed, nounculture, nouncytoplasm, noundecay, verbdecay, noundecompose, verbdefecate, verbdenizen, noundextrose, noundiaphragm, noundigest, verbdigestion, noundigestive, adjectiveDNA, noundorsal, adjectivedry rot, nounduct, noundwarf, noundwarf, adjectiveecological, adjectiveecology, nounecosystem, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbembryo, nounembryonic, adjectiveenzyme, nounepidermis, nounevolution, nounevolutionary, adjectiveexcrement, nounexcrescence, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexhale, verbexoskeleton, nounextinction, nounfaeces, nounfamily, nounfang, nounfat, nounfatty acid, nounfauna, nounfeces, nounfeed, verbfemale, adjectivefemale, nounferment, verbferment, nounfertile, adjectivefertility, nounfertilize, verbfission, nounflank, nounflatulence, nounflesh, nounfleshy, adjectiveflightless, adjectiveflora, nounfoetal, adjectivefoetus, nounfoliage, nounfossil, nounfreak, nounfreshwater, adjectivefructose, noungamete, nounganglion, noungene, noungene pool, noungenera, genetic, adjectivegenetic code, noungenetic engineering, noungenetic fingerprinting, noungenetics, noungenome, noungenus, noungestation, noungland, nounglandular, adjectiveglucose, noungluten, noungonad, noungrass snake, noungrow, verbgrowth, nounhabitat, nounhaemoglobin, nounhearing, nounheart, nounhemisphere, nounherbivore, nounhereditary, adjectiveheredity, nounhermaphrodite, nounhibernate, verbhistamine, nounhoming, adjectivehormone, nounhost, nounimpregnate, verbimpulse, nounincubate, verbindigenous, adjectiveinfected, adjectiveinfertile, adjectiveinfest, verbingest, verbinhale, verbinseminate, verbinsensate, adjectiveinsulin, nounintegument, nounintercourse, nouninterferon, nounintestine, nouninvertebrate, nouninvoluntary, adjectiveiris, nounjaw, nounjelly, nounkidney, nounkrill, nounlactate, verblactation, nounlactic acid, nounleech, nounleg, nounlesser, adjectivelichen, nounlife, nounlife cycle, nounlife form, nounligament, nounlimb, nounlimpet, nounlipid, nounliver, nounliving fossil, nounlocomotion, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmale, adjectivemale, nounmammal, nounmandible, nounmate, nounmate, verbmembrane, nounmetabolism, nounmetabolize, verbmetamorphosis, nounmicrobe, nounmicrobiology, nounmicroorganism, nounmicroscopic, adjectivemigrate, verbmigratory, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmolar, nounmorphology, nounmotor, adjectivemould, nounmouth, nounmucous membrane, nounmucus, nounmulticellular, adjectivemuscle, nounmuscular, adjectivemutant, nounmutate, verbmutation, nounnatural history, nounnatural selection, nounnature, nounneck, nounnectar, nounnerve, nounnervous, adjectivenervous system, nounneural, adjectiveneuro-, prefixneurology, nounnode, nounnose, nounnostril, nounnucleic acid, nounnucleus, nounnutrient, nounnutriment, nounoesophagus, nounoestrogen, nounolfactory, adjectiveoptic, adjectiveorgan, nounorganic, adjectiveorganic chemistry, nounorganism, nounorifice, nounossify, verbosteo-, prefixoutgrowth, nounova, ovary, nounoverwinter, verboviduct, nounoviparous, adjectiveovulate, verbovum, nounparasite, nounpathogen, nounpedigree, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenile, adjectivepenis, nounpepsin, nounperiod, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphotosynthesis, nounphylum, nounpigment, nounpigmentation, nounplankton, nounplasma, nounpollinate, verbpostnatal, adjectivepregnancy, nounpregnant, adjectivepremature, adjectiveprenatal, adjectiveproduct, nounproliferation, nounpropagate, verbprotein, nounprotoplasm, nounprotozoan, nounpuberty, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulsation, nounputrefy, verbputrid, adjectivered blood cell, nounregurgitate, verbrenal, adjectivereproduce, verbreproduction, nounreproductive, adjectiverespiration, nounrespiratory, adjectiverespire, verbretina, nounroot, nounrot, verbrot, nounruff, nounsac, nounsaliva, nounsalivary gland, nounsalivate, verbsaltwater, adjectivescale, nounscallop, nounscaly, adjectivesebaceous, adjectivesecrete, verbsecretion, nounsemen, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectiveserum, nounsex, nounsex, verbsexless, adjectivesexual intercourse, nounsheath, nounshell, nounsibling, nounskeletal, adjectiveskeleton, nounskin, nounskull, nounspasm, nounspasmodic, adjectivespecies, nounspecimen, nounsperm, nounspiderweb, nounspinal cord, nounspine, nounspineless, adjectivestarch, nounstem cell, nounstimulate, verbstimulus, nounstrain, nounsubject, nounsubspecies, nounsucker, nounsucrose, nounsweat, verbsweat, nounsweat gland, nounsymbiosis, nounsystemic, adjectivetail, nountaxonomy, nounteeth, testosterone, nountest-tube baby, nountissue, nountrachea, nountube, noununicellular, adjectiveurethra, nounuric, adjectiveurinate, verburine, nounvariety, nounvector, nounvein, nounvenom, nounvenomous, adjectiveventricle, nounvertebra, nounvertebrate, nounvivisection, nounwarm-blooded, adjectivewean, verbwildlife, nounwindpipe, nounyolk, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs
She was determined to conquer her fear of flying. The screaming was starting to jar on my nerves. Tamar took a deep breath to steady her nerves. pain from a trapped nerveCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=make someone feel less worried or nervous)· She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves.
(=make someone feel less worried or nervous)· She hoped that a cup of tea would soothe her nerves.
(=often feel worried or nervous)· He suffered from nerves and could no longer perform on stage.
(=you feel extremely nervous or worried)· Suddenly she was wide awake, her nerves jangling.
NOUN + nerves· Quite a few of the students suffered from exam nerves.
(=before the first night of a performance)· She always suffered from first-night nerves.
phrases (=they feel nervous or worried about what might happen)· His nerves were on edge as he entered the dark room.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Everyone's nerves were frayed by the end of the week.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
(=to feel extremely nervous or worried)· I was a bag of nerves during the interview.
(=to be extremely nervous)· Just before the audition he was shaking with nerves.
(=to be in a nervous condition)· She was in such a state of nerves that she jumped at every noise.
(=a time when you feel very nervous)· Harrison had an attack of nerves before the match.
Meaning 3verbs· I just didn't have the nerve to tell them the truth.
· He couldn't find the nerve to ask her out.
(=remain calm and confident in a difficult situation)· The team held their nerve and went on to win.
(=suddenly lose the courage or confidence to do something)· I wanted to ask him the question, but I lost my nerve.
(=test whether someone will have the courage to do something difficult)· The next few days would test their nerve to the limit.
(=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)· At the last moment, her nerve failed her.
(=someone loses the courage to do something or continue something)· The police hoped his nerve would break and he'd give himself away.
phrases (=something requires a lot of courage or confidence)· It takes nerve to stand up for what you believe.
(=a situation in which someone lacks the courage to do something)· They accused the government of a loss of nerve.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· No new brain cells are produced after birth.
She was determined to conquer her fear of flying.· If you drink a lot of alcohol it can cause liver damage.
(=a poisonous gas used in war to kill or paralyse people)· Troops were exposed to low levels of nerve gas during the conflict.
The screaming was starting to jar on my nerves. Tamar took a deep breath to steady her nerves. pain from a trapped nerve· Both groups belong to the facial branchial motor nerve.· Still others point to pressure on the facial nerve as it passes through the skull.· The transgene staining is co-localized with the cell bodies of the facial nerve.· The cause is unknown but is thought to involve an inflammation of the facial nerve.
· The optic nerves were studied after 2 days.· Frequent measurements of visual fields and acuity are obtained to detect optic nerve damage.· In a, optic nerve sections were prepared as described in Fig. 1.· They receive messages from virtually every nerve in the human body via connections with the optic nerve and spinal cord.· The animals were sacrificed 60min later and optic nerve cell suspensions were prepared as previously described.· A swollen optic nerve found by her optometrist led to the discovery of the tumor.· The cup becomes the retina, and the stalk connecting it to the brain the optic nerve.· Enough of the eye came free to please Magee, though, and he watched as it dangled on the optic nerve.
· The underlying pathology is a widely distributed inflammatory lesion in peripheral nerves, with adjacent demyelination.· Hypothyroidism may affect equilibrium by its effect on the eighth cranial nerve and on the peripheral nerves.· They are almost entirely produced by damage to peripheral nerves or to roots or to the central nervous system.· This is not only simplistic but it is even ignorant of pain-provoking peripheral nerve fibres now known to exist in man.· Many trophic factors can influence axonal growth and neuronal survival during nervous system development and in the regeneration of peripheral nerves.· Several lines of evidence point to specific components of the peripheral nerve environment that support regeneration.
· This attack was repeated again in 1987 in the Federation magazine, for the report had obviously hit a very raw nerve.· The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.· He's just a raw nerve.· Touched on a raw nerve, they can react accordingly.· Our article touched a raw nerve.· Just as the poll tax impost jarred on an historically raw nerve, so will the ban on fox-hunting.· Yet they perhaps unwittingly also touched upon the raw nerve of vital, popular fears.· Had she worried a raw nerve with that remark?
· Although this memorandum was immediately denounced and repudiated, there is no doubt that it touched some sensitive nerves.· Teeth usually become less sensitive as their nerve and blood supply decreases.· It was easy, therefore, to touch the sensitive nerve of nationalism.· This can throw the spine out of alignment and press on sensitive nerves in your back and legs.· This touched upon a sensitive nerve with regard to confidence in the leadership.· Other issues touch sensitive local nerves.· And not just Ford buyers: Options instantly touched such a sensitive nerve that other makers rushed to promote similar schemes.
· Capsaicin destroys small sensory nerve fibres if it is injected under the skin of newborn rats.· Important in the control of gait is the afferent input of the sensory nerves.· As usual, capsaicin had the effect of destroying small sensory nerve cells.
NOUN· This opened the issue of how nerve cells might communicate with each other and eventually led to our now-sophisticated understanding of neurotransmitters.· Those signals are carried from nerve cell to nerve cell by chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.· The Vienna doctors say that D-proline is neurotoxic, which means that it can kill brain and other nerve cells.· The effects of the virus on nerve cells, which control muscle movements, vary significantly.· Is there a gene for each nerve cell?· It increases the firing of some nerve cells, or neurons, while decreasing the firing of others.· In the same way, nerve cells in the spinal cord show activity whenever a particular movement is made by the arm.· The final question was whether the virus entered the bloodstream before it attacked nerve cells.
· The metro desk is the nerve center of any newsroom.· That is the nerve center, where score is kept on all wing activities.· He has turned out to be the nerve center of the vastly improved defense.
· Repairing the midsole, often the nerve centre of the modern shoe, can be more difficult.· The battle bus was not the great nerve centre of the nation which it might have appeared.· It was the nerve centre of the strike operations ....
· But please hurry up if you want to avoid the nerve damage and deformity that result from long-term exposure to the germ.· Frequent measurements of visual fields and acuity are obtained to detect optic nerve damage.· In all 16 cases he found nerve damage.· That, he said, suggests better opportunities for diagnosing nerve damage, and better chances for rehabilitating injured patients.
· This absence of feeling, I dismissed as damaged nerve endings.· Your nerve endings bristle at the slightest movement.· Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released at nerve endings and control the signals between nerves and nerves and muscles.· Slightly less obvious but essential to the winding up of the nerve endings is Michael Carr's neglect of his wife.· There is no evidence that the nerve endings near the brain of the fish can transmit pain.· So he hopes to come up with a special X-ray stain binding to human nerve endings.· A cell's true nature is realized when it becomes skin or bone or nerve ending.
· In nervous communication, messages are carried as electrical impulses in nerve fibres.· Capsaicin destroys small sensory nerve fibres if it is injected under the skin of newborn rats.· All nerve fibres and terminals present seemed normal in number and morphology.· The first component in this classical stimulus-response link is specific injury-detecting nerve fibres, the nociceptors.· This is not only simplistic but it is even ignorant of pain-provoking peripheral nerve fibres now known to exist in man.· In flatworms all that exists is a simple network of nerve fibres.· The function of nerve fibres is to transmit coded information from one place to the other.· Even under the microscope, it is hard to detect any structure, because of the bewildering variety of nerve fibres criss-crossing one another.
· The nerve gas would only be released if the incorrect code was programmed twice into the computer.· Yep, that Soviet nerve gas, all hooked up to a computerized bomb.· A new form of nerve gas?· And much of the liquid used to simulate nerve gas at the test site was contained by the wooden crates.· The fact was he had broken a Senate tie back in 1983 and voted for the production of nerve gas.
· The breakdown of the insulation layer short-circuits nerve impulses and produces devastating consequences.· First of all, the brain controls many bodily functions, either directly via nerve impulses or indirectly via hormones.· More effective drugs had their origin in the basic research on chemical transmission of nerve impulses described in chapter 4.· This traveling wave of altered electrical potential is called an action potential, more commonly known as a nerve impulse.· The sensation only occurs when the nerve impulse reaches the brain.· Many animals have a single lens used to focus light on to a plate able to convert it into nerve impulses.· To jump over the gap between two cells, a nerve impulse has to be translated from electricity to chemicals and back.· The unlocking of the receptor leads to the creation or suppression of a nerve impulse in the second cell.
· This is the normal position of the trigeminal motor nerve.· Both groups belong to the facial branchial motor nerve.· Mutations in pros alter neuronal fates and delay or prevent pioneering of motor nerves during embryogenesis.· Between 9.5-10.5 d.p.c. the retinoic acid-induced ectopic expression of Hox-B1 also appears in the motor nerve associated with r2/3.· The accessory antennal nerves issue from the antennal lobes and are the motor nerves of the antennae.· The movement of fluid in the motor nerve then caused the actual movement.
VERB· It was refreshing, and did much to calm her shaken nerves.· A lot of mineralization is needed to create a sedative effect, calm the nerves and promote sound sleep.· Chopra moved between them, calming their fractious nerves.· Norma sat silently in the kitchen of their home, drinking coffee and trying to calm her nerves.· She calms her shattered nerves with the music of top Co Donegal-born singing star Enya.· The presence of a baby calmed his nerves and soothed his spirit, like drawing and painting.· She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves.
· Then, hurrying lest her nerves fail her too, she unbuckled her seat-belt and climbed out.· If the nerve fails to pass on the correct signals, the limb becomes useless.· Only when the cane cracked down across his hand did the boy's nerve fail.· The reason the case did not progress or became involved is right there-your nerve failed you.· Norwich's nerve hasn't failed them and according to their players, it won't.· The solution seemed so grotesque that his nerve almost failed him.· In some cases the optic nerve fails to develop before birth.· She looked at him dumbly, and even McLeish's hardened investigator's nerve failed him.
· But I must admit, when I think about Thursday night I feel absolutely sick with nerves.· I could feel each nerve in my body.· Meredith felt as if her nerves were strung on a line.· I could feel those nerves wriggling now like a hive of worms; they were flinching as the wind rode by.· Once more she felt her nerves quivering with apprehension, but when Helen came in she managed to hide her fears.· The silence vibrated with tension, and Polly felt her nerves stretch almost to snapping point.· He felt his nerve breaking and terror began to overtake his mind.· Polly felt her nerves strung out almost to snapping-point.
· The noise and the smell were getting on his nerves.· You got your nerve to stand there and say that!· Pam loves children but she doesn't like them when they're mobile, it gets on her nerves.· His son got on his nerves all the time.· She's got strong nerves, though.· Angry Dear Angry: We can understand how these kids can get on your nerves.· Funny thing how people can get on each other's nerves down here.· As much as they got on her nerves, still she could not bring herself to talk behind their backs.
· This attack was repeated again in 1987 in the Federation magazine, for the report had obviously hit a very raw nerve.· Q: Why has that era hit a nerve with people now?· The charge has hit a nerve, persuading the company to earmark 265 Levantine buildings for special restoration.· Obviously there was a future in this business, they'd hit a nerve somewhere.· It has hit a nerve that is already raw.
· It requires holding your nerve, being totally committed and believing absolutely that's what you have got to do.· Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that he should hold his nerve to the twin track of political progress and strong security?· But Becker held his nerve and took the set in just 38 minutes.· Redstar hold their nerve to win.· Hodge held his nerve and the game was level.
· This is where it can find a post-Thatcher purpose - and, if it keeps its nerve, votes as well.· He has kept his nerve under very trying circumstances.· She knew she had to keep her nerve.· If he kept his nerve he would squeeze more money out of Bill Coleby.· The Number-One had kept his nerve.
· But after forty-eight hours of Berlin the Joyces had lost their nerve.· Pro-student faculty members accused him of losing his nerve.· One person stops and looks at me in a peculiar way. l lose the nerve to ask.· It is one of those moments in a recital that could cause a singer to lose nerve.· Here, she rang again quickly, before she lost her nerve.· Nor had she lost her nerve, as evidenced by her conduct one night when Marian heard a strange noise.
· Hignett then scored from the spot before Martijn Reuser settled the nerves of the East Anglian contingent.· Lynn Bollington scored early on to settle the nerves and two Jo Green goals secured the win.· She breathed deeply, trying to settle her nerves.· Her hands had been clammy and her breathing irregular, but a small brandy had helped to settle her nerves.
· And he may have taken a drink or two to steady his nerves.· They finally found him in a bar where he had gone to steady his nerves.· That's if the woman ever prays, Isabel reflected, holding on to the random thought to steady her shaky nerves.· He was killing time before his appointment, trying to steady his nerve.· Next, drink the large Scotch to steady the nerves.· Tamar took a deep breath to steady her nerves before she replied.· Twice he nearly lost control and rested, steadying his nerve.· Claudia drew a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves.
· Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.
· The plaintiff suffered a trapped nerve after a hernia operation.· They said the children were suffering from exam nerves.· Developed for concert pianists suffering from nerves.· He has no need for motivation and, interestingly, does not suffer from nerves.
· The next few days would test her nerve to the limit.· Here the wide fairway beckons you seductively towards a second shot which will test your nerve.· Nothing can test a professional's nerve and patience more than long waits between every shot.· Gaveston was playing with him, testing his nerve in this cruel game.
· Although this memorandum was immediately denounced and repudiated, there is no doubt that it touched some sensitive nerves.· The theatrical farce touches a nerve.· The death of Phyllis Henley touched these nerves into life.· I had finally touched a nerve.· Our article touched a raw nerve.· The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.· It was easy, therefore, to touch the sensitive nerve of nationalism.· The wide current appeal of such music seems to touch a nerve of communal masochism.
· Claudia threw herself into the rehearsal for the show, trying to conquer her nerves by sheer will-power.· Norma sat silently in the kitchen of their home, drinking coffee and trying to calm her nerves.· Transport Secretary John MacGregor became the latest Cabinet ministers to try and calm nerves.· He was killing time before his appointment, trying to steady his nerve.· She breathed deeply, trying to settle her nerves.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► your courage/will/nerve fails (you)► nerve/muscle fibres
- You need nerves of steel to be a race-car driver.
- He had either nerves of steel or brains of custard, because he had fallen asleep during the last flight.
- It calls for consummate timing and nerves of steel.
- Raccoons these days, they have nerves of steel.
- The man had nerves of steel and didn't need anyone's good wishes.
- "What's wrong with Troy?" "It's just nerves. His driving test is tomorrow."
- I hope Emma isn't going to be there - she really gets on my nerves.
- Nick's whining is really starting to get on my nerves.
- The noise from the apartment upstairs was beginning to get on my nerves.
- Angry Dear Angry: We can understand how these kids can get on your nerves.
- As much as they got on her nerves, still she could not bring herself to talk behind their backs.
- But things now were really getting on his nerves.
- Everyone was getting on each other's nerves, and there was tension all the time.
- His son got on his nerves all the time.
- The noise and the smell were getting on his nerves.
- They really get on my nerves.
- This is really starting to get on my nerves.
- I had finally touched a nerve.
- Our article touched a raw nerve.
- Q: Why has that era hit a nerve with people now?
- The charge has hit a nerve, persuading the company to earmark 265 Levantine buildings for special restoration.
- The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.
- The theatrical farce touches a nerve.
- The wide current appeal of such music seems to touch a nerve of communal masochism.
- They also touched a nerve of public anxiety.
- Harry was a bundle of nerves the whole time his wife was in the hospital.
- Since she lost her job Rosie's been a bundle of nerves.
- She was a bundle of nerves.
- Our article touched a raw nerve.
- The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.
- He had either nerves of steel or brains of custard, because he had fallen asleep during the last flight.
- It calls for consummate timing and nerves of steel.
- Raccoons these days, they have nerves of steel.
- The man had nerves of steel and didn't need anyone's good wishes.
- Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.
WORD FAMILYadjectivenervousnervelessnerve-rackingnervyunnervingnounnervenervesnervousnessverbnerveunnerveadverbnervously
1worried feelings nerves [plural] a)used to talk about someone being worried or frightenedsomebody’s nerves are on edge/in tatters/frayed (=someone feels very worried or frightened)calm/steady your nerves (=stop yourself feeling worried or frightened) Sean drank a large glass of brandy to calm his nerves.be a bundle/bag of nerves (=be extremely worried or frightened) I remember you were a bundle of nerves on your wedding day. b)the feeling of being worried or a little frightened: A lot of people suffer from nerves before they go on stage. ‘What’s wrong with Rachel?’ ‘It’s just nerves. She’s got her driving test tomorrow.’exam/first-night etc nerves2body part [countable] nerves are parts inside your body which look like threads and carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body: a condition which affects the nerves in the backtrapped nerve British English, pinched nerve American English (=a nerve that has been crushed between two muscles etc, causing pain)3courage [uncountable] courage and confidence in a dangerous, difficult, or frightening situationthe nerve to do something Not many people have the nerve to stand up and speak in front of a large audience. She finally found the nerve to tell him she wanted a divorce. It takes a lot of nerve to report a colleague for sexual harassment.lose your nerve (=suddenly become very nervous so that you cannot do what you intended to do) Jensen would’ve won if he hadn’t lost his nerve.hold/keep your nerve (=remain calm in a difficult situation) It’s hard to keep your nerve when people keep interrupting you.4get on somebody’s nerves informal if someone gets on your nerves, they annoy you, especially by doing something all the time: She’s always moaning. It really gets on my nerves.5lack of respect [singular] spoken if you say someone has a nerve, you mean that they have done something unsuitable or impolite, without seeming to be embarrassed about behaving in this way SYN cheek: He’s got a nerve asking for more money. ‘She didn’t say sorry or anything.’ ‘What a nerve!’have the nerve to do something She lets me do all the work, and then she has the nerve to criticize my cooking.6 touch/hit a (raw) nerve to mention something that makes someone upset, angry, or embarrassed, especially accidentally: Without realizing, he had touched a raw nerve.7nerves of steel the ability to be brave and calm in a dangerous or difficult situation: The job requires nerves of steel. → strain every nerve at strain2(6)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbscalm/steady somebody's nerves (=make someone feel less worried or nervous)· She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves.settle/soothe somebody's nerves (=make someone feel less worried or nervous)· She hoped that a cup of tea would soothe her nerves.suffer from nerves (=often feel worried or nervous)· He suffered from nerves and could no longer perform on stage.your nerves jangle (=you feel extremely nervous or worried)· Suddenly she was wide awake, her nerves jangling.NOUN + nervesexam nerves· Quite a few of the students suffered from exam nerves.first-night nerves (=before the first night of a performance)· She always suffered from first-night nerves.phrasessomebody's nerves are on edge (=they feel nervous or worried about what might happen)· His nerves were on edge as he entered the dark room.somebody's nerves are tattered/frayed/shattered (=they feel very nervous or worried)· Everyone's nerves were frayed by the end of the week.somebody's nerves are stretched (to breaking point) (=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.be a bag/bundle of nerves (=to feel extremely nervous or worried)· I was a bag of nerves during the interview.be shaking with nerves (=to be extremely nervous)· Just before the audition he was shaking with nerves.be in a state of nerves (=to be in a nervous condition)· She was in such a state of nerves that she jumped at every noise.an attack of nerves (=a time when you feel very nervous)· Harrison had an attack of nerves before the match.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 3verbshave the nerve to do something· I just didn't have the nerve to tell them the truth.find the nerve to do something· He couldn't find the nerve to ask her out.hold/keep your nerve (=remain calm and confident in a difficult situation)· The team held their nerve and went on to win.lose your nerve (=suddenly lose the courage or confidence to do something)· I wanted to ask him the question, but I lost my nerve.test somebody's nerve (=test whether someone will have the courage to do something difficult)· The next few days would test their nerve to the limit.somebody's nerve fails (him/her) (=someone suddenly loses the courage or confidence to do something)· At the last moment, her nerve failed her.somebody's nerve breaks (=someone loses the courage to do something or continue something)· The police hoped his nerve would break and he'd give himself away.phrasesit takes nerve to do something (=something requires a lot of courage or confidence)· It takes nerve to stand up for what you believe.a failure/loss of nerve (=a situation in which someone lacks the courage to do something)· They accused the government of a loss of nerve.nerve1 nounnerve2 verb
nervenerve2 verb VERB TABLE
nerve
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | nerve |
| he, she, it | nerves | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | nerved |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have nerved |
| he, she, it | has nerved | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had nerved |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will nerve |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have nerved |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am nerving |
| he, she, it | is nerving | |
| you, we, they | are nerving | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was nerving |
| you, we, they | were nerving | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been nerving |
| he, she, it | has been nerving | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been nerving |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be nerving |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been nerving |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- All the way home, pedalling furiously, she had been nerving herself for this confrontation.
- Ruth clenched her hands inside her cloak, nerving herself to follow him; but it was Fand who didn't move.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She was determined to conquer her fear of flying. The screaming was starting to jar on my nerves. Tamar took a deep breath to steady her nerves. pain from a trapped nerve
· No new brain cells are produced after birth.
She was determined to conquer her fear of flying.· If you drink a lot of alcohol it can cause liver damage.
(=a poisonous gas used in war to kill or paralyse people)· Troops were exposed to low levels of nerve gas during the conflict.
The screaming was starting to jar on my nerves. Tamar took a deep breath to steady her nerves. pain from a trapped nervePHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► your courage/will/nerve fails (you)► nerve/muscle fibres
- Finally she nerved herself to go and have a drink.
- Ruth clenched her hands inside her cloak, nerving herself to follow him; but it was Fand who didn't move.
- Harry was a bundle of nerves the whole time his wife was in the hospital.
- Since she lost her job Rosie's been a bundle of nerves.
- She was a bundle of nerves.
- Our article touched a raw nerve.
- The subject of hawkers had touched a raw nerve.
- He had either nerves of steel or brains of custard, because he had fallen asleep during the last flight.
- It calls for consummate timing and nerves of steel.
- Raccoons these days, they have nerves of steel.
- The man had nerves of steel and didn't need anyone's good wishes.
- Vincent strained every nerve to turn himself into a draughtsman acceptable to the illustrated papers, and the strain showed.
WORD FAMILYadjectivenervousnervelessnerve-rackingnervyunnervingnounnervenervesnervousnessverbnerveunnerveadverbnervously
nerve yourself to do something/for something to force yourself to be brave enough to do something: The parachutist nerved himself for the jump.