intestinal fortitude
Stomach for hardship
Intestinal fortitude is a somewhat humorous or emphatic way of saying courage or determination, especially the kind needed to endure difficulty or face unpleasant situations.
The phrase evokes the gut as the seat of inner strength—having the stomach for something challenging.
It takes real intestinal fortitude to stand up to a bully.
The expression often appears in contexts where a more vulgar synonym might otherwise fit.
Entrails or boldness
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- pluckSpirit or yank
- mettleStrength of character
spunk · moxie · grit · bravery · boldness · daring · fearlessness · valor
Capacity for sustained effort
- staying powerCapacity to keep going
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
perseverance · fortitude · determination · patience · durability · resilience · robustness · vigor
Regulating one's own behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- restraintControl over impulses
focus · drive · mental toughness · inner strength · self-mastery · composure · self-command · steeliness
Unyielding determination to continue
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- relentlessnessUnstoppable persistence
- stubbornnessRefusal to yield
- obstinacyUnyielding adherence to position
single-mindedness · unyielding · firmness · constancy · dedication · commitment · assiduity · bullheadedness
Recovery from adversity
- comebackRecovery after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
- overcomingDefeating a challenge
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
regeneration · rejuvenation · getting back up · second wind · renewal
guts
Entrails or boldness
mettle · spunk · moxie · grit · bravery · boldness · daring · fearlessness · valor · gallantry
stamina
Capacity for sustained effort
- staying powerCapacity to keep going
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
persistence · perseverance · fortitude · determination · patience · durability · resilience · robustness · vigor · vitality
self-discipline
Regulating one's own behavior
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- resolveFirmness of purpose
restraint · focus · drive · mental toughness · inner strength · self-mastery · composure · self-command · steeliness
doggedness
Unyielding determination to continue
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- relentlessnessUnstoppable persistence
- stubbornnessRefusal to yield
obstinacy · single-mindedness · unyielding · firmness · constancy · dedication · commitment · assiduity · bullheadedness · pigheadedness
bounceback
Recovery from adversity
- comebackRecovery after decline
- reboundReturn after deflection
- overcomingDefeating a challenge
adaptability · regeneration · rejuvenation · getting back up · second wind · renewal
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- phrases about braverylion heart, nerves of steel, no fear, bold as brass, stand your ground
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
intestinal fortitudecowardice
Absence of bravery
spinelessness · gutlessness · cowardliness · yellow belly · faintheartedness
intestinal fortitudespinelessness
Lack of courage
weakness · lack of backbone · feebleness · fragility · capitulation
intestine, intestines, intestinal, forte, fortify, fortified, fortification, fortress, comfort