true grit
Genuine mental fortitude
True grit is courage and resolve that persists through hardship—not flashy bravery but stubborn determination that doesn't quit.
The phrase emphasizes authenticity: grit that's been tested and proven genuine.
She showed true grit getting through chemo while raising three kids.
Popularized by the 1968 Charles Portis novel and its film adaptations.
Resilient durability under strain
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
- strengthPower to exert force
robustness · sturdiness · adaptability · recovery · survival · buoyancy · gumption · durability
Persistent grip or resolve
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
- resolveFirmness of purpose
doggedness · endurance · stamina · willpower · dedication · commitment · constancy · diligence
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- daringAdventurous courage
audacity · pluck · nerve · spunk · gallantry · intrepidity · heroism · mettle
- frontierEdge of settlement
- cowboyMounted cattle herder
- outlawFugitive from justice
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
marshal · gunfighter · Coen Brothers · Jeff Bridges · Texas Ranger · bounty hunter
toughness
Resilient durability under strain
- hardinessAbility to endure adversity
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
strength · robustness · sturdiness · adaptability · recovery · survival · buoyancy · gumption · durability · thick-skinned
tenacity
Persistent grip or resolve
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- steadfastnessFirm loyal dedication
resolve · doggedness · endurance · stamina · willpower · dedication · commitment · constancy · diligence · discipline
bravery
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
daring · audacity · pluck · nerve · spunk · gallantry · intrepidity · heroism · mettle · stoutheartedness
John Wayne
revenge · marshal · gunfighter · Coen Brothers · Jeff Bridges · Texas Ranger · bounty hunter
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- fortitudefortitude, mental fortitude, resolve, tenacity, perseverance
- perseverancepersist, never give up, tenacity, hang in there, endurance
- phrases about braverylion heart, nerves of steel, no fear, bold as brass, stand your ground
- tenacitydetermined, persistence, persistent, perseverance, determination
- valorbravery, courage, gallantry, heroism, fearlessness
true gritcowardice
Absence of bravery
spinelessness · timidity · weakness · faintheartedness · capitulation
true gritbluster
Loud, empty boasting
bravado · posturing · all talk · pretense · paper tiger
true gritfragility
Ease of breaking
lack of backbone · brittleness · feebleness · yellow streak · lily-livered
true, truth, grit, truly, untrue, truthful, truths, truthfulness, truer