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Glite Dictionary
to have the nerve

to have the nerve

68 6.2
To be brave enough to do something bold or rude
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : atreverse (a)
  • After years of insecurity, she finally had the nerve to share her art with the world.

She had the nerve to say only two biological sexes exist.

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Examples

  • I've been listening for years and I finally have the nerve to ask a question.

  • I can't imagine Eileen would have the nerve to do something like that.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • And now you have the nerve to ask us to share?

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

  • But I never had the nerve to use it.

    Dragonslayer (1981)

  • I'm just glad one of us had the nerve to end it.

    Manhattan (1979)

  • I wondered if I had the nerve to go ask him.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • It's a world that only a futurist has the nerve to imagine and the capacity to create.

    Academic text (2007)

  • You screw up at Metro, and then you have the nerve to drag me down here.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Frida sits down, satisfied and surprised she had the nerve to speak to him like that.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

to dare
vsto have the nerve
516 1.1

To be brave enough to do something risky or not allowed

is more about audacity and presumption than mere risk taking
to have the gall
vsto have the nerve
  • Informal
14 7.9

Be bold enough to do something rude or shocking

is broader referring to bold or presumptuous acts beyond disrespect

Antonyms

cowardice
46 5.5

Lack of courage to face danger or difficulty

fearfulness
1 4.5

Being easily frightened and nervous in new or dangerous situations

How Audacious

to have the gall
  • Informal
14 7.9
to dare
516 1.1
to have the nerve
  • Informal
68 6.2

Surface Forms

have the nerve infinitive
had the nerve past
had the nerve past participle
having the nerve present participle
has the nerve third person singular

Morphology

have + the + nerve

The meaning is directly derivable from 'have' (to possess) + 'nerve' (courage/ audacity); a B1 learner who knows both words will understand this as 'to possess the courage or audacity to do something'. The definite article 'the' does not obscure compositionality, although pragmatic nuances (rudeness or presumption) may require minor exposure, the core meaning is transparent.

Etymology

The idiom have the nerve may come from thinking of a body's nerve as a strong cord that gives feeling and control, so someone who 'has the nerve' seems to have inner strength to act. So, have the nerve means 'to have the courage or boldness' to do something difficult or rude.