square (one's) shoulders
square (one's) shoulders
To prepare to do or deal with something difficult or unpleasant; to demonstrate courage, resolve, or determination. I know that you're nervous about the game, but you just need to square your shoulders and do your best. Many people in the audience were booing when her name was announced, but she squared her shoulders and stepped onto the stage to perform.
See also: shoulder, square
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
square one's shoulders
Prepare to face adversity, as in She knew it wouldn't be easy but she squared her shoulders and faced the hostile audience. This expression transfers standing erect with the shoulders pulled back, forming an angle much like a square's right angle, to the situations calling for this stance. It was first recorded in 1819.
See also: shoulder, square
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- have no stomach for something
- have the stomach for
- have no stomach for (something)
- like pulling teeth
- learn (something) the hard way
- learn the hard way
- come to a bad end
- come to a bad/sticky end
- get (something) over with
- get it over with