Definition

1. Noun:
   • Informal: Courage, fortitude, and determination: The word "guts" refers to the personal quality of being brave and having the strength of character to face something difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant. It implies a visceral, instinctive bravery.
   • Literal (often plural): The internal organs of the abdomen: In a biological context, "guts" can refer to the intestines or the general visceral organs within the abdominal cavity.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Courage): It takes real guts to admit your mistakes in front of everyone. She has the guts to stand up for what she believes in, even when it's unpopular. He didn't have the guts to ask her out on a date.

• Noun (Internal organs): The fisherman cleaned the fish, removing its guts. The impact of the crash was so severe it spilled his guts onto the road.

Advanced Usage

• "To hate someone's guts": To dislike someone very intensely. Ever since he betrayed her, she has hated his guts.

• "To spill your guts": To confess or tell someone everything you know or feel, especially private or secret things. After hours of questioning, the suspect finally spilled his guts to the police.

• "To have the guts for something": To possess the necessary courage or resilience for a specific task. I'm not sure I have the guts for a solo skydiving jump.

Variants and Related Words

• Gut (verb): To remove the internal organs from (a fish or other animal); to destroy the interior of (a building). You need to gut the fish before you cook it. The fire gutted the historic building.

• Gut (adjective): Instinctive, based on a deep feeling rather than thought. I have a gut feeling that this is the right decision.

• Gutless (adjective): Lacking courage or determination. That was a gutless performance from the team.

Synonyms

• Courage: The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery.
• Nerve: Courage and control under pressure.
• Mettle: A person's ability to cope well with difficulties; spirit and resilience.
• Pluck: Spirited and determined courage.
• Fortitude: Courage in pain or adversity.

Related Phrases

• Gut reaction/response: An immediate, instinctive emotional response. My gut reaction was to say no.

• Gut check: A test or assessment of one's resolve, courage, or determination. This difficult situation is a real gut check for the new manager.

Idioms

• Bust a gut: To make a great effort; to try extremely hard. I busted a gut to finish the project on time.

• Blood and guts: Violence and carnage, especially as depicted in media. That movie is all blood and guts, with very little plot.

Noun

1. fortitude and determination
   • he didn't have the guts to try it