nerves

Thân thiện

The public speaker took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

Definition

Noun 1. Control of your emotions; steadiness, courage, or coolness in a demanding situation. Refers to the ability to remain calm and not become frightened, anxious, or angry. 2. An uneasy psychological state; a feeling of nervousness, anxiety, or agitation. Refers to a temporary condition of emotional strain or tension.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to emotional control or the lack thereof:

  • You need steady nerves to be a bomb disposal expert.
  • His nerves finally failed him during the final interview question.
  • "This constant noise is bad for my nerves," she complained.

• Referring to a state of nervousness:

  • She had a bad case of nerves before her big presentation.
  • He was suffering from nerves on the morning of his wedding.
  • I get nerves every time I have to speak in public.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The word is almost always used in the plural form "nerves" for these psychological meanings. The singular "a nerve" typically refers to a biological fiber in the body (e.g., ) or to boldness or impudence (e.g., ).
• "To get on someone's nerves" is a common idiom meaning to irritate or annoy someone persistently.
  • That tapping sound is really starting to get on my nerves.
• The phrase "a battle/war of nerves" describes a situation where people try to win by making their opponents lose confidence or become nervous.

Variants and Related Words

• Nerve (noun, singular): 1. A bundle of fibers that transmits impulses in the body. 2. Impudent boldness; audacity (e.g., ).
• Nervous (adjective): Easily agitated or alarmed; anxious.
• Nervy (adjective, informal): 1. Nervous, anxious. 2. Showing impudent boldness.
• Unnerve (verb): To make someone lose courage or confidence.

Synonyms

• For emotional control: composure, steadiness, cool (informal), poise.
• For an uneasy state: anxiety, jitters (informal), tension, apprehension, butterflies (in one's stomach) (informal).

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• Get on someone's nerves: To irritate or annoy someone.
• Have nerves of steel: To be exceptionally brave and calm in dangerous or difficult situations.
• Live on one's nerves: To live in a state of constant anxiety or tension.
• A battle/war of nerves: A conflict or competition where psychological pressure is used to defeat an opponent.
• Be a bundle of nerves: To be extremely nervous and tense.

Học thuật

Noun

1. control of your emotions
   • this kind of tension is not good for my nerves
2. an uneasy psychological state
   • he suffered an attack of nerves

Từ đồng nghĩa

• nervousness