IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishhave a nerve
Meaning: To be rude or bold in a way that shocks others.
Example: “She borrowed my car without asking; she's got a nerve.”
Origin: "Nerve" meant courage from the 18th century, and by the late 19th century also impudence or cheek.
Equivalents in other languages
Spanish: Tener más cara que espalda Literally: To have more face than back
French: Être gonflé Literally: To be inflated / not to be short of air
More English idioms
- nobody's fool A sensible person who is not easily tricked.
- you could have knocked me down with a feather I was extremely surprised.
- swing the lead To avoid work, especially by pretending to be ill.
- a fat lot of good that does me That is of no use to me at all.
- no sweat No problem; that's easy.
- dumb as a box of rocks Very stupid.
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