brass balls

brass balls

1. vulgar slang Unwavering courage, resolve, or toughness. It takes brass balls to stand up to a bully like that. You've got to have brass balls if you're going to survive in this business.
2. vulgar slang Excessive impudence, self-assurance, ego, or audacity. He's got some brass balls to talk to his boss like that.
See also: ball, brass
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • it's brass monkeys outside
  • suck balls
  • down to brass tacks
  • brass monkeys
  • big brass
  • brass hat
  • a brass hat
  • balls of feet
  • balls of the/(one's) feet
  • get down to brass tacks, to/let's
References in classic literature
And the brass balls on the iron railings shone much brighter than ever; one would have thought they were polished on account of the visit; and it was as if the carved-out trumpeters-for there were trumpeters, who stood in tulips, carved out on the door--blew with all their might, their cheeks appeared so much rounder than before.
Andersens Fairy Tales
But the plaintiffs call this logic proof that Mayor Rick Meehan is "out of touch with the mainstream opinion" and note that Ocean City is home to heavy alcohol consumption including underage drinking and establishments with more risqu names, including Brass Balls Saloon and Big Pecker's.
Opponents of Ocean City topless ban ask judge to stay ordinance
An enclosed porch opens into the large front reception hall, which has wood floor, substantial wood staircase with polished brass balls on each newell post, and doors to the cellar and to the formal dining room.
Home once owned by the upper crust!
Published papers It grew Horns, maxillary Canines, brass Balls, pseudo-
A Life of the Mind
It took a big pair of brass balls for Killie's Kallum Higginbotham to dink a Panenka past Craig Gordon in midweek.
If field of Scottish football is fertile enough for Celts to sign up best of what's reared elsewhere, why can't they grow their own?
Four chairs are now available: Metal Tripod Chair (1948-51), MASP7 de Abril Chair (1947), Chairwith Brass Balls (1947-50), and Rocking Chair (1948).
Lina Bo Bardi
She's totally brass balls. She's one of the bravest people I know as far as running her own freak flag up the flagpole.
A sense of community keeps Neko Case going
"I give the Clint spot the brass balls award," said Michael McCarthy, a former Adweek editor who now covers sports business at SportsBizUSA.com.
The new king of Super Bowl ads: with three more in this year's big game, Wieden + Kennedy becomes the shop for big spots
officials, it's a line that takes brass balls to deliver, and the actor lacks the cowboy conviction to sell it.
Argo
Some exhibit the three brass balls, the historic sign of the pawnbroker.
Parents 'sold down river' over College's change to academy; Rex MAKIN The Liverpool lawman is Makin his point
Niro presented the Brass Balls Award to the 'Rolling Stones' star.
Keith Richards, Robert De Niro looking to swap homes
Meanwhile, Rolling Stone Keith Richards took home the Brass Balls Award EoAC" enough said.
It's a guy thing
Mind you, this is understandable when the weather recently has been cold enough to freeze the brass balls off our bedstead.
Tuning in to the zombie generation
Bill, who now lives in Eastern Green, recalls that No 101 was Evans the Pawnbrokers with its distinctive and elegant three brass balls - an Aladdin's cave in Bill's eyes.
WEEKEND: TIME TUNNEL: Bill holds up hand to eating all the pies; A JOURNEY INTO OUR RICH HERITAGE WITH A MISCHIEVOUS COVENTRY KID
Silver-and copper-leafed "legs" of stainless steel pyramids and brass balls curve and soar in unexpected angles.
Made in Sarasota: Virginia Hoffman creates sought-after sculptural furniture