plucked up
Found one's nerve
Plucked up means summoned or gathered, usually referring to courage or nerve: She plucked up the courage to ask for a raise.
The phrase suggests drawing inner resources together for a difficult moment, as if pulling them up from within oneself.
He finally plucked up enough nerve to introduce himself.
- musteredGathered or summoned
- uprootedRemoved from foundation
- rooted outDiscovered and eliminated thoroughly
- dislodgedMoved from fixed position
- extractedRemoved from source
pulled · pulled out · resolve · nerved · hoisted · fortitude · yanked · determination · boldness · grit · lifted · removed · detached · courage · summoned · bravery · steeled · steeled oneself
courage/nerve
plucked upchickened out
Retreated from fear
lost nerve · balked · backed down · cowered · faltered
action/inaction
plucked upretreated
Moved backward from advance
withdrew · hesitated · held back · shied away · pulled back