PhrasesHub

Screw your courage to the sticking place

    Definitions

      • encourage someone
        Urge someone to find the strength and determination to face a difficult situation or take a bold action

      • be brave
        Encourage someone to summon their courage and face a challenging or daunting task

    Examples of Screw your courage to the sticking place

    • In the final round of the singing competition, the contestant took a deep breath, screwed her courage to the sticking place, and belted out a show-stopping performance that left the audience in awe.

      This idiom means to gather the strength and courage to face a difficult or challenging situation. "Screwing courage to the sticking place" is a figurative way of saying that one is determined to see a situation through to the end, no matter how difficult or daunting it may be. It comes from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," in which a character, Lady Macbeth, uses this phrase in an attempt to inspire her husband to commit a murder. She urges him to "screw his courage to the sticking place" in order to overcome his hesitation and go through with the deed.

    • The speaker faced the crowd of protesters with a sense of trepidation, but he knew that he had to stand up for what he believed in. With a deep breath, he screwed his courage to the sticking place and delivered a passionate speech that rallied the crowd to his cause.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone facing a potentially hostile or intimidating situation. "Screwing courage to the sticking place" emphasizes the speaker's determination and conviction in the face of opposition.

    • The novice mountaineer trembled as he approached the technical section of the climb. He knew that if he hesitated or lost his nerve, disaster could strike. But he steeled himself, screwed his courage to the sticking place, and made his way up the treacherous terrain.

      This instance illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone facing a physically demanding or dangerous challenge. "Screwing courage to the sticking place" is particularly appropriate in this context, as it emphasizes the importance of keeping a steady hand and a clear head in the face of extreme danger.

    • The entrepreneur's startup was in trouble. His investors were pulling out, and his employees were growing restless. But he refused to give up. With a steely gaze and a determined heart, he screwed his courage to the sticking place and rallied his team to keep fighting.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone facing a difficult or uncertain situation in their professional life. "Screwing courage to the sticking place" is particularly appropriate in this context, as it emphasizes the importance of remaining confident and resolute in the face of adversity.

    • The lead actress gave an Oscar-worthy performance, but she was terrified to face the post-show interviews. The director encouraged her, saying, "Screw your courage to the sticking place, dear. This is your moment to shine."

      "Screw your courage to the sticking place" is an idiom meaning "find the courage to persevere and see things through to the end." It derives from Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where Lady Macbeth instructs her husband to "unsex" himself and gather his courage to commit a murder. The phrase "sticking place" in this context is not widely known, but it is believed to refer to a literal obstacle, such as a sticking point in a saddle, that requires extra force to overcome. In this example, the director is urging the actress to overcome her fear and deliver her best performance, even in the face of daunting obstacles.

    • Before giving the important presentation in front of the top executives, Sarah took a deep breath and said to herself, "Screw your courage to the sticking place."

      This phrase is a figure of speech, urging Sarah to summon all her courage and persevere, even in the face of difficulty or danger. The phrase, taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth, means to be resolute and determined, despite any challenges or obstacles that may arise. Sarah was hoping that by saying this to herself, she would feel more confident and mentally prepared to deliver her presentation flawlessly.

    • When faced with a daunting task, Emma reminded herself, "Screw your courage to the sticking place."

      Emma's boss had assigned her to lead a complex project that required a lot of effort and courage. Emma was feeling nervous and overwhelmed, and she needed a boost of confidence. By using this idiom, Emma was telling herself to be resilient and persistent in the face of adversity, and to keep going even when the work became difficult or uncomfortable.

    • The protagonist in a novel faced a dangerous situation and thought, "Screw your courage to the sticking place."

      In this example, the character is facing a life-threatening situation, and he needs to summon all his courage to survive. This idiom is a reminder to the character that he needs to dig deep and find the strength to face his fears and overcome the danger.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "screw your courage to the sticking place" is used to encourage someone to be brave and face a difficult situation. It is often used to urge someone to find the strength and determination to take bold action and overcome challenges.

    Origin of "Screw your courage to the sticking place"

    The phrase "screw your courage to the sticking place" comes from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Lady Macbeth uses this phrase to urge her husband to summon his courage and carry out a murderous act. The "sticking place" refers to the place where a screw is tightened, indicating that one should firmly secure their courage in order to face a daunting task. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more generally to encourage bravery and determination in the face of challenges.