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brave

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brave the elements

To go out into and endure bad or stormy weather. Usually used hyperbolically. Thank you for braving the elements to come pick me up. I know there's a slight drizzle, but if you can brave the elements, then you may go play outside for a while.

See also: brave, element

put on a brave front

1. To appear or make oneself seem more courageous, resolute, or dauntless than one really feels. I could feel my knees shaking with terror before my commencement speech, but I put on a brave front and stepped out onto the stage to deliver it. This girl I'm dating has a big dog that I'm really scared of, but I'm trying to put on a brave front when it's around.

2. To react to or face difficulties, setbacks, or adversity with high spirits or good cheer. John's been putting on a brave front ever since his wife left him, but I can tell that he is devastated on the inside. I really didn't want to spend Thanksgiving with my wife's parents, but I put on a brave front and suffered through it with a smile.

See also: brave, front, on, put

brave something out

to endure something; to put up with something courageously. I don't know if all the men can brave the attack out. The soldiers braved out the attack.

See also: brave, out

Fortune favors the brave.

 and Fortune favors the bold.

Prov. You will have good luck if you carry out your plans boldly. (Used to encourage people to have the courage to carry out their plans.) Fortune favors the bold, Bob. Quit your day job and work on your novel full-time. Jill: Let's wait till next year before trying to start our own business. Jane: No. We'll do it this year. Fortune favors the brave.

See also: brave, favor, fortune

None but the brave deserve the fair.

Prov. Only a courageous and gallant man deserves a beautiful woman.; Only the best deserves the best. Stop making excuses and just call Gina. None but the brave deserve the fair.

See also: brave, but, deserve, fair, none

put on a brave face

to act confident in a difficult situation put up a brave front The engineers have put on a brave face, saying the telescope can easily be repaired.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form put a brave face on something: She puts a brave face on everything, but you know that she is worried.

See also: brave, face, on, put

put up a brave front

See: put on a brave face

See also: brave, front, put, up

put a brave face/front on something

to behave in a way that makes people think you are happy when you are not They've had some bad luck, but they've put a brave face on their problems. She's very ill but she's putting a brave front on it. (= making people believe her illness does not worry her)

See also: brave, face, on, put

brave face, put on a

Also, put up a brave front.

1. Face adversity cheerfully. For example, Even though she had been passed over for promotion, she put on a brave face.

2. Try to appear brave even though very frightened. For example, Harry was terrified of animals, but his boss was a dog lover, so he put up a brave front . [Second half of 1800s]

See also: brave, on, put

brave it out

1. Face danger or a difficult situation with courage. For example, They had far fewer votes than the opposition, but they decided to brave it out. [Late 1500s]

2. Also, brazen it out. Boast or swagger, act with impudent bravado. For example, They hadn't been invited but decided to stay and brazen it out. [Mid-1500s]

See also: brave, out

brave the elements

Go out in stormy weather, as in We've just about run out of food; I'll brave the elements and walk to the store. The use of elements for atmospheric agencies dates from the early 16th century but is rare today except in this expression, which is often used hyperbolically.

See also: brave, element

brave out

v.

To endure something with great courage: The explorers braved out the hot weather and dangerous animals during their journey. It will be a tough game against such strong players, but you should brave it out and play as well as you can.

See also: brave, out