brass balls
Shameless bold courage
Brass balls is vulgar slang for boldness or audacity, especially the kind that risks confrontation or embarrassment.
The image is of testicles made of metal—heavy, conspicuous, and impervious to pain: It takes brass balls to walk into that meeting and demand a raise.
Sometimes admiring, sometimes critical of recklessness.
Entrails or boldness
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- braveryBoldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- daringAdventurous courage
pluck · spunk · intrepidity · heroism · gallantry · dauntlessness · stoutheartedness · backbone
Shameless, admirable audacity
- gallImpudent boldness or bitterness
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- effronteryShameless, insolent boldness
- temerityReckless audacity
brazenness · cheek · impudence · insolence · shamelessness · impertinence · presumption · brashness
Determination or abrasive particles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
toughness · steadfastness · resolve · persistence · endurance · staying power · stamina · doggedness
guts
Entrails or boldness
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- braveryBoldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
daring · pluck · spunk · intrepidity · heroism · gallantry · dauntlessness · stoutheartedness · backbone · nerve
chutzpah
Shameless, admirable audacity
- gallImpudent boldness or bitterness
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- effronteryShameless, insolent boldness
temerity · brazenness · cheek · impudence · insolence · shamelessness · impertinence · presumption · brashness · cockiness
grit
Determination or abrasive particles
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
perseverance · toughness · steadfastness · resolve · persistence · endurance · staying power · stamina · doggedness · relentlessness
brass ballscowardice
Absence of bravery
timidity · spinelessness · gutlessness · yellow belly · chicken
brass ballssheepishness
Timid embarrassment after wrongdoing
diffidence · timidness · submissiveness · meekness · bashfulness
brass, ball, balls, brassy, brassier, brassiest, balled, balling