Have the nerve, have the courage,.....

Question

Is there a difference in meaning between the following two sentences?

1) I can't believe she had the nerve to call me fat!

2) I can't believe she had the courage to call me fat!

Also, are there other ways to express the above concept, both formally and informally/colloquially?

Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

teal lime
Is there a difference in meaning between the following two sentences?
1) I can't believe she had the nerve to call me fat!
2) I can't believe she had the courage to call me fat!
Also, are there other ways to express the above concept, both formally and informally/colloquially?
Thank you.

We don't use 'nerve' and 'courage' the same way. If you use 'nerve' in the context shown above, it makes sense because calling someone fat is insulting. 'courage' isn't typically used in this context because courage is bravery (as in battle, but also metaphorically in other contexts). If someone is being insulting, we don't normally say that they have courage.

'nerve' is very informal. The corresponding term that's more formal is 'audacity'. An extremely formal word is 'temerity'. You won't hear this last one very often though you may occasionally see it in writing.

nerve, audacity, temerity

Bob was furious that his friends had the nerve to compare him to Mickey Mouse.
For those who left the city and then had the audacity to run it down: Good riddance.
Only an incumbent president would have the temerity to suggest at a fundraiser for his own re-election that politics is the furthest thing from his mind.

courage

We must have the courage to overcome our fears.
Have the courage to take responsibility for whatever you may have done wrong.
Very few people would have the courage to overpower a cow or a pig to eat it.

CJ

Have the nerve, have the courage,.....

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