nerve
noun uk/nɜːv/ us/nɝːv/
(BODY)
C2 [ C ]神经
a group of long, thin fibres (= structures like threads) that carry information or instructions between the brain and other parts of the body
the optic nerve 视神经
a spinal nerve 脊神经
nerve damage 神经损伤
nerve fibres 神经纤维
- More examples
- A neurotransmitter is a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other and with muscles.
- The newspaper article touched a raw nerve - people still resent the closure of the local school.
- Repairing damaged nerves is a very delicate operation.
- The drug paralyses the nerves so that there is no feeling or movement in the legs.
- The nerves are protected by thin sheaths of fatty tissue.
(COURAGE)
C2 [ U ]勇气;胆量;魄力
the courage or confidence necessary to do something difficult, unpleasant, or rude
It takes a lot of nerve to be a bomb disposal expert. 当拆弹专家需要极大的勇气。
I wanted to ask her out, but I lost my nerve and couldn't go through with it. 我曾想约她出来，但我失去了勇气，说不出口。
[ + to infinitive ] I didn't have the nerve to tell him what I really thought of his suggestion. 我没有胆量告诉他我对他的建议的真实看法。
(WORRY)
nerves [ plural ]B2 紧张不安；提心吊胆
worry or anxiety about something that is going to happen
I never suffer from nerves when I'm speaking in public. 我当众讲话从不紧张。
She was a bundle of nerves (= very nervous) before the audition. 她试演之前非常紧张。
I always have a cigarette to calm/steady my nerves (= make me less nervous) before I go on stage. 我在上台前总是抽支烟来稳定自己的情绪。
Despite all her athletic achievements, she still suffers terribly from nerves before a race.
Unfortunately, my nerves got the better of me just as I was about to deliver the speech and my mind went completely blank.
get on someone's nervesB2 使（某人）心烦
to annoy someone a lot
We really got on each other's nerves when we were living together. 我们住在一起时确实闹得不可开交。
Please stop making that noise! It really gets on my nerves. 请不要再发出那种噪声了！它吵得我很心烦。
Her laugh was starting to really get on my nerves.
He whistles constantly and it gets on Charlotte's nerves.
Michael's really getting on my nerves.
Lottie! You're going to get on your sister's nerves if you keep behaving that way.
steady/strong nervesB2 在困难的局面下保持冷静的能力
the ability to be calm in difficult situations
You need a cool head and steady nerves for this job. 那位工作需要冷静的头脑和坚强的神经。
This kind of work requires steady nerves and super-quick reflexes so retirement age is usually 50.
Competitors in this event need immense powers of concentration, not to mention steady nerves.
Driving on these mountain roads can require strong nerves.
In the current climate, investors need strong nerves and deep pockets.
(RUDENESS)
C2 [ S or U ]厚颜无耻，厚脸皮
the rudeness to do something that you know will upset other people
[ + to infinitive ] She's late for work every day, but she still has the nerve to lecture me about punctuality. 她天天迟到，居然还有脸教训我要准时。
That man has some nerve! He's always blaming me for things that are his fault. 那人真是无耻！有些事明明是他的过错，他却总来责备我。
UK also That man has such a nerve! 那人真是无耻！
She drove the car into a tree and then told me it was my fault for not concentrating, of all the nerve! 她开车撞到了树上，却怪我精神不集中，真亏她说得出来！
Idioms
have nerves of steelidiom 极有胆量
to be very brave
You need to have nerves of steel to be a fighter pilot. 当战斗机飞行员需要有过人的胆量。
hit/touch a (raw) nerveidiom C2 触到痛处
to upset someone
She touched a raw nerve when she mentioned that job he didn't get. 她提到那份他没有得到的工作，触到了他的痛处。
nerve
verb uk/nɜːv/ us/nɝːv/
nerve yourselfUK 鼓足勇气
to make yourself brave enough to do something
[ + to infinitive ] It took her several months before she eventually nerved herself (up) to invite him to her house. 她过了好几个月才终于鼓足勇气邀请他去自己家。
He took a deep breath, nerved himself, and jumped into the icy waters.
Finally, twenty minutes into the meeting, she nerved herself to speak up.
On the way to the meeting room he'd been nerving himself for the confrontation.
She felt sick inside, nerving herself for the question she was about to put to him.
Eventually, I nerved myself up to speak.