grasp the nettle
Tackle unpleasant boldly
To grasp the nettle means to tackle a difficult or unpleasant situation with determination and directness, rather than avoiding it.
The expression comes from the fact that nettles sting less when gripped firmly than when touched hesitantly.
After months of delay, the committee finally grasped the nettle and addressed the budget shortfall.
The phrase is more common in British English than American English.
- man upEmbrace toughness, colloquially
- step up to the plateAssume responsibility when needed
- bite the bulletAccept inevitable hardship
- take it on the chinAccept misfortune without complaining
- convictionFirmly held belief
confront · square up to · take the bull by the horns · take the plunge · courage · get stuck in · undertake · tackle · roll up sleeves · decisiveness · face the music · face · resolve · seize the day · do or die · fortitude · tough it out · proactivity
grasp the nettlebury one's head in the sand
Avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths
shy away from · avoid · evade · shirk · duck
grasp the nettleprocrastinate
Delay action unnecessarily
dither · vacillate · prevaricate · drag one's feet · hem and haw
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