hold one's nerve
Keep composure under pressure
To hold one's nerve is to remain calm and resolute under pressure, resisting the urge to panic or abandon a course of action.
The phrase implies a situation where fear or doubt threatens to overwhelm judgment: She held her nerve during the final round of negotiations.
More common in British than American English, where keep one's cool or hold steady often substitute.
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- under pressureExperiencing duress or stress
composure · keep one's cool · boldness · fortitude · equanimity · stress tolerance · stiff upper lip · mental toughness · grit · self-possession · steady hand · pluck · unflappability · sangfroid · perseverance · valor · resolve · audacity
hold one's nervepanic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
lose one's nerve · fall apart · go to pieces · freak out · lose it
hold one's nervelose one's nerve
Abandon courage under pressure
chicken out · back down · flee · run away · bolt
hold one's nervelose one's nerve
Abandon courage under pressure
back down · back out · chicken out · wimp out · bottle it
hold, holds, holding, holder, holders, holdover, holdout, behold, beholden