grow a pair
Show some backbone
Grow a pair means to summon courage or toughness, with *pair* referring to testicles.
The phrase implies someone is being timid or weak and needs to act more boldly: Just grow a pair and ask her out.
Crude but common in casual speech, often directed at men but used toward anyone perceived as lacking nerve.
- braveryBoldness before danger
- gutsEntrails or boldness
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- spineColumn of vertebrae
man up · be a man · take it like a man · suck it up · courage · intrepidity · fortitude · boldness · cojones · backbone · shout · pluck · stones · balls · brass balls · valiance · tenacity · audacity
grow a pairchicken out
Withdraw due to fear
back down · wimp out · lose your nerve · cave in · retreat
grow a pairtake your time
Proceed without urgency
it's alright · no rush · I understand · take care of yourself · handle with kid gloves
grow a pairlet it go
Cease fixating on something
walk away · back off · stand down · bow out · take the easy way out
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