to grow a pair
8
9.9
- idiom
- Offensive
:
tener cojones
- I hope that he grows a pair during his second term.
Seriously, Jason Chaffetz, please just grow a pair and tell us what Flynn did.
- Seriously, Jason Chaffetz, please just grow a pair and tell us what Flynn did.
- I know the carriers want you to do this, but grow a pair anyway.
- You were, you're not a coward or don't be a coward, you know, grow a pair or something, We often say.
Examples
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He should grow a pair.
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You could always grow a pair and read his plan on his website.
Blog text (28) -
I want you to be a man and grow a pair!
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It's time to put on our big boy pants... right after we get done growing a pair.
Blog text (32) -
I know the carriers want you to do this, but grow a pair anyway.
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Wow, somebody really grew a pair when the scary doctor lady left the room.
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Give me a break, grow a pair, people, and just ignore him.
Blog text (26) -
Obama needs to step up big time and grow a pair.
Blog text (25) -
Finally, it looks like the Republicans might be growing a pair.
Blog text (4) -
If you want to stand up for yourself, you really need to grow a pair.
Synonyms
4
9.9
To become braver and act when you are afraid
1
9.9
To become more brave and confident when facing problems
To be brave enough to do something difficult
To make yourself brave enough to do something difficult
To be brave enough to do something difficult or risky
Antonyms
How Brave
39
3.9
- Offensive
8
9.9
318
2.5
41
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
grow + a + pair
The meaning 'to become braver or more assertive' cannot be derived from the literal constituents 'grow' (to increase or develop) and 'pair' (two of something); the phrase is an idiomatic, slangy reference (implicitly to male anatomy) that requires cultural and pragmatic knowledge. This figurative, vulgar sense is language- and culture-specific and therefore not predictable for a B1 learner who only knows the literal meanings of the words.
Etymology
The phrase grow a pair comes from the image of a man growing a pair of testicles, which people have long seen as a sign of bravery. So telling someone to grow a pair means 'be braver' or 'stand up for yourself'.