spunk

get enough spunk up (to do something)

To muster or draw upon one's courage or resolve to do something. I wanted to ask Mary Sue to the prom, but I couldn't get enough spunk up. I hope Jonathan finally gets enough spunk up to ask his boss for a raise.
See also: enough, get, spunk, up

get the spunk up (to do something)

To muster or draw upon one's courage or resolve to do something. I wanted to ask Mary Sue to the prom, but I couldn't get the spunk up. I hope Jonathan finally gets the spunk up to ask his boss for a raise.
See also: get, spunk, up

spunk

1. Energetic, enthusiastic resolve or courage; spirit; moxie. I like your spunk, kid. You've got yourself a job! You've gotta have spunk to get ahead in this industry.
2. vulgar slang Semen.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

get enough nerve up (to do something)

 and get enough courage up (to do something); get enough guts up (to do something); get enough pluck up (to do something); get enough spunk up (to do something); get the nerve up (to do something); get the courage up (to do something); get the guts up (to do something); get the pluck up (to do something); get the spunk up (to do something)
Fig. to work up enough courage to do something. I hope I can get enough nerve up to ask her for her autograph. I wanted to do it, but I couldn't get up enough nerve. I thought he would never get up the courage to ask me for a date.
See also: enough, get, nerve, up

get the spunk up

(to do something) Go to get enough nerve up (to do something).
See also: get, spunk, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

spunk

(spəŋk)
n. courage. Show some spunk. Get in there and stand up for your rights.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • get enough spunk up (to do something)
  • get the spunk up
  • get the spunk up (to do something)
  • get enough nerve up
  • get enough nerve up (to do something)
  • get enough guts up (to do something)
  • get the nerve up (to do something)
  • get enough pluck up (to do something)
  • get the guts up (to do something)
  • get enough courage up
References in periodicals archive
He stated, 'Music knows no boundaries and this collaboration with Spunk is going to spread the message of harmony amongst the people of both cultures.'
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The soft drink is still available, and some of its fans say the use of its name as a word for spunk is right on target.
Distinctively different
“Our brand was developed out of a need for versatility, spunk, and refinement in our personal wardrobes.
Shop New Fashion Jewelry Collection at ShopPiperP.com
The 36-year-old says he seeks somebody with "spunk" who is an "erotic non-confomist" and ideally from a place of turmoil as "Western culture seems to forge women that are valueless and inane".
How WikiLeaks' Julian Assange described himself on dating website
She has more spunk that the rest of them put together.
VENT YOUR SPLEEN
She's got spunk and as a matter of personal belief I support her conclusions.
Just the facts ma'am
For high school teachers, this guide describes how to teach author Zora Neale Hurston's fiction, nonfiction, and short stories "Spunk" and "Sweat," with a focus on the book and film versions of Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Zora Neale Hurston in the classroom; "with a harp and a sword in my hands"
Had I lived in that era, I would have marveled at the spunk of Josephine Marcus.
With a name like Tombstone ..
The "unforgettable Sarah Prine" learns how to ride and shoot at an early age and she has spunk to boot.
Turner, Nancy E.: These is my words; the diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, Arizona Territories
Adding a little modern spunk to the mix, Lauri Stallings (2007 "25 to Watch") choreographed the piece, which runs April 10-13.
Ballet goes big
Who can blame him - she's feisty and a bit gorgeous and also happens to be in leurve with local spunk Drew.
Dom falls for Belle; HOME AND AWAY WEEKDAYS, FIVE, 6pm
After Neighbours has-been Kyal Marsh's rubbish rope routine, Thpence mysteriously declares: "You great hunk of a spunk." What's he talking about?
IT'S A CIRCUS FREAK SHOW
Bachelder; LNGJ-USA, Inc.; Sandier O'Neill Asset Management, LLC and SOAM Holdings, LLC; Smith Hanley Associates, LLC; and Spunk, LLC.
JRT closes 11 deals at 780 Third Ave
It meant the man behind Mickey Mouse--Walt Disney--had put his world-famous animation studio to work spreading a Victory message of can-do spunk.
Mickey on the warpath