Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant or difficult: This phrase means to make a conscious effort to get ready for a bad, shocking, or challenging event or piece of news. It involves steeling one's nerves or fortifying one's emotional state in anticipation.

Usage

• This phrasal verb is used to describe the internal preparation for an expected negative experience. It is often used in the imperative form as a warning or piece of advice.
• It is typically followed by a noun or a noun phrase (e.g., "brace yourself for impact," "brace yourself for bad news").

Examples

• Phrasal Verb:
  • The doctor told him to brace himself for the test results.
  • We braced ourselves for the storm by boarding up the windows and securing supplies.
  • Brace yourself for a long wait; the customer service line is very slow today.

Advanced Usage

• "to brace oneself against": While similar, this often implies a more physical preparation or resistance against a force, but can be used metaphorically.
  • She braced herself against the criticism by remembering her past successes.

Variants and Related Words

• Brace (verb): To prepare or position oneself to withstand something.
  • The team braced for the opponent's final attack.
• Steel oneself (phrasal verb): A very close synonym meaning to mentally harden oneself for something difficult.
  • He steeled himself to deliver the bad news.

Synonyms

• Prepare for: To make ready for a specific purpose or event.
• Gird oneself for: To prepare oneself for something demanding (more formal/literary).
• Fortify oneself against: To strengthen oneself in the face of something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Face up to: To accept and deal with something difficult or unpleasant.
  • You must face up to your responsibilities.
• Gear up for: To prepare for an activity or event (can be neutral or positive, not exclusively unpleasant).
  • The company is gearing up for the product launch.

Related Idioms

• Batten down the hatches: Originally a nautical term for preparing for a storm, now used figuratively to mean preparing for trouble or difficulty.
  • When the scandal broke, the politician battened down the hatches.
• Grit one's teeth: To summon determination in the face of a difficult or painful situation.
  • She gritted her teeth and braced herself for the dentist's drill.

Verb

1. prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant