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nerve

nerve

135 6.2
Rude bold behaviour that shows little respect for others
  • noun
  • /nɜrv/
: descaro
  • I couldn't believe that he had the nerve to criticize me after his own mistakes.

And this guy, Can you believe the nerve?

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Examples

  • And she still had the nerve to blame me for not taking the child's feelings into account.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • You've got a hell of a nerve, whoever you are.

  • This dude has the nerve to look at me and go, my bad.

  • And he had the nerve to call me.

  • - The nerve of some people!

  • I was so mad at the nerve of this guy putting his hand on me.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Some nerve talkin' to me that way, Cash.

  • Look, I'd just like to say that you got some nerve coming in here and wasting my time and my brother Tony's time.

  • That's some nerve!

  • She showed a lot of nerve by challenging the manager's decision during the meeting.

Synonyms

face
vsnerve
55 8.6

Bold behaviour that shows no shame

is impudent and often used to challenge or disrespect others
gall
vsnerve
26 8.1

Rude boldness that shows no shame

is impudent and usually targets others with disrespect
cheek
vsnerve
  • Informal
18 6.1

Rude talk or behaviour that shows no respect

is impudent but more about bold action that challenges others
brass
vsnerve
  • UK
6 7.7

Rude boldness that shows little respect for others

is impudent and often used to challenge or disrespect others
brazenness
vsnerve
2 7.3

Shameless boldness that ignores what people consider proper

is impudent and often aims to challenge or disrespect others
boldness
vsnerve
1 3.7

Rude confidence that shows a lack of respect for others

is impudent and specifically emphasizes challenging or disrespecting others
chutzpa
vsnerve
  • Informal
1 9.9

Bold, rude behavior that shows no shame

is impudent and typically aims to challenge or disrespect others
parrhesia
vsnerve
  • Jargon
1 9.9

Speaking openly and boldly when it risks angering people in charge

is impudent but focuses on challenging or disrespecting others rather than honest risk

Antonyms

6 5.8

Feeling too shy or afraid to try new things

3 5.1

A quiet, gentle way of behaving that avoids arguing or complaining

Idioms

46 6.2

To be brave enough to do something bold or rude

to touch a nerve
  • Informal
11 7.7

Make someone feel upset or defensive by mentioning a sensitive subject

Need to be brave to do something

1 7.2

Try as hard as possible to do something

Compounds

nerve gas
  • NSFW
19 6.8

A very poisonous gas that stops people breathing, often used as a weapon

nerve-wracking
  • Informal
16 6.1

Causes a lot of worry and stress

nerve cell
  • Specialized
15 3.4

A cell that sends electrical signals to carry messages between the brain and body

13 8.8

A very poisonous chemical used as a weapon that stops the nerves from working and makes people stop breathing

optic nerve
  • Specialized
12 3.7

Part at the back of the eye that carries images to the brain

11 4.6

A place where people direct and control important activities and information

nerve fiber
  • Specialized
4 3.4

A long thin part of a nerve cell that sends electrical signals

sciatic nerve
  • Specialized
3 4.4

A large thick cord that sends messages from the lower back down the back of each leg

nerve impulse
  • Specialized
3 4.9

An electrical signal that travels along a nerve to carry messages in the body

facial nerve
  • Specialized
2 5.5

A nerve that controls the muscles that move the face and carries feeling from it

cranial nerve
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A nerve that begins in the brain and serves the head and neck

vagus nerve
  • Specialized
2 5.5

A long thin part of the body that sends signals from the brain to the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines

ulnar nerve
  • Specialized
2 4.8

A long thin part in the arm by the elbow that sends messages to the hand and two small fingers

auditory nerve
  • Specialized
2 4.5

A nerve that carries sound and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain

nerve center
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A group of special cells that control a body function like breathing

spinal nerve
  • Specialized
2 4.1

A thin body part that sends messages between the spinal cord and a body area

nerve tissue
  • Specialized
2 4.5

A group of cells that carry messages between the brain, spinal cord, and body

nerve ending
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A tiny part of the body that sends feelings like touch or pain to the brain

phrenic nerve
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A nerve from the neck that controls the diaphragm and breathing

sensory nerve
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A long thin part that sends feelings from the skin to the brain and spinal cord

nerve compression
  • Specialized
1 6.1

Pressure on a nerve that causes pain, numbness, or muscle weakness

nerve growth factor
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A protein that helps nerve cells grow and stay healthy

radial nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A large nerve running down the arm that makes wrist and finger muscles straighten

nerve end
  • Specialized
1 5.8

The small tip of a nerve that sends and receives signals

thoracic nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.3

One of twelve pairs of nerves from the middle of the spine that go to the chest and back

motor nerve
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A body part that sends messages from the brain and spine to make muscles move or glands work

A very stressful event that makes you feel worried

olfactory nerve
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A nerve that carries smell signals from the nose to the brain

1 6.3

A nerve in the inner ear that sends sound and balance signals to the brain

nerve pathway
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A group of long cells that carry signals between body parts and the brain

cervical nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A thin cord in the neck that sends messages to the neck and arm muscles

nerve tract
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A group of nerve fibers in the brain or spinal cord that carry messages

seventh cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A nerve in the head that controls the muscles of the face and taste at the front of the tongue

sacral nerve
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A nerve in the lower back that sends messages to the pelvis and legs

sixth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A part of the body that controls an eye muscle to move the eye outward

abducens nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.8

A nerve that moves the eye outward so you can look to the side

trigeminal nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A nerve in the face that carries feeling and controls chewing muscles

accessory nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A nerve that controls some neck and shoulder muscles

hypoglossal nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A nerve that controls most movements of the tongue

afferent nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A nerve that carries signals from parts that feel, like the skin, to the brain or spinal cord

nerve plexus
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A network of nerves that control movement and feeling in a body area

A very poisonous chemical weapon that stops the body's nerves working

efferent nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A nerve that sends signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles or glands

1 4.3

A way to numb one body part by injecting medicine near a nerve

spinal nerve root
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A nerve that comes out of the spinal cord, joins another nerve, and carries messages to and from the body

oculomotor nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A nerve that controls most muscles that move the eye

fourth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A nerve that controls a top eye muscle and helps the eye look down

lumbar nerve
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A nerve in the lower back that sends signals to the legs and belly

eighth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.6

The nerve that carries sound and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain

1 8.1

A nerve sending feeling from the throat and back of the tongue and helping control swallowing and the voice box

femoral nerve
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A large bundle that carries messages from the lower spine to the front of the thigh

motor nerve fiber
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A thin thread that carries messages from the brain to a muscle to make it move

third cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A nerve that moves most eye muscles and controls pupil size

nerve entrapment
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A condition in which a nerve near a joint becomes pinched and causes pain and numbness

ninth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A brain nerve that helps you swallow, taste the back of the tongue, and move throat muscles

tenth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A nerve that helps control heart, breathing, voice, and how the body breaks down food

trochlear nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A part of the body that controls an eye muscle to move the eye down and to the side

spinal nerve roots
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Groups of nerve fibers that come out of the spinal cord on each side

coccygeal nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A nerve near the tailbone at the base of the spine

abducent nerve
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A nerve that controls the muscle that moves the eye outward

cubital nerve
  • Specialized
6.7

A nerve near the elbow that gives feeling and movement to the side of the hand with the little finger

depressor nerve
  • Specialized
7.9

A body nerve that sends messages to make a muscle or organ relax

7.4

A nerve that helps move the head and lift the shoulder

7.7

A group of nerves behind the stomach that controls organs in the belly

acoustic nerve
  • Specialized
4.6

The nerve that carries sound and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain

anterior crural nerve
  • Specialized
7.9

A large nerve that comes from the lower back and sends signals to the front thigh muscles and skin

fifth cranial nerve
  • Specialized
7.4

A main nerve in the face that carries feeling and controls chewing muscles

first cranial nerve
  • Specialized
5.8

A nerve in the head that carries smell from the nose to the brain

free nerve ending
  • Specialized
7.0

A tiny part of the skin that sends signals about pain and temperature

6.5

A nerve fiber covered by a fatty layer that makes nerve signals travel faster

musculospiral nerve
  • Specialized
9.9

A large nerve in the upper arm that makes the wrist and fingers straighten

A very poisonous chemical weapon like sarin or tabun that stops nerves working quickly

5.8

A long thin part of a nerve that has a fatty layer that makes signals travel faster

How Bold

nerve
135 6.2
gall
26 8.1
impudence
7 7.7
cheek
  • Informal
18 6.1
audacity
48 6.0
boldness
18 3.2

Surface Forms

nerve singular
nerves plural

Etymology

Nerve can mean rude or shocking boldness and comes from the same Latin nervus idea of 'strength'. A helpful way to remember this is that 'having the nerve' can be the bold strength to do something disrespectful, which is why the phrase often means someone was boldly rude.