nerves
Translation
nerves, courage, anxiety, audacity
Examples
The dentist touched a nerve in my tooth.
The dentist touched a nerve in my tooth.
He has the nerves to ask for more money.
He has the nerves to ask for more money.
She suffers from nerves before a big exam.
She suffers from nerves before a big exam.
That loud music gets on my nerves.
That loud music gets on my nerves.
Grammar Patterns
to have the nerve ((to-inf)) to be brave/rude enough to do sth. She had the nerve to quit her job.
to get on ((sb.'s)) nerves to annoy sb. That constant noise is getting on my nerves.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Latin 'nervus' meaning 'sinew, tendon, nerve', referring to the 'strings' of the body.
Memory Tips
Think of the phrases 'nerves of steel' for courage, and 'getting on my nerves' for irritation. The meaning changes with the context.