nerves
HighNeutral to informal (when referring to anxiety). The anatomical sense is formal/technical.
Definition
Meaning
The plural form of 'nerve,' referring to the bundles of fibers in the body that transmit signals between the brain/spinal cord and other parts of the body, enabling sensation and movement.
A state of anxiety, tension, or agitation, especially in emotional or stressful situations; also used to describe boldness or courage (though this meaning is less common for the plural form).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
When used anatomically, 'nerves' is countable and concrete. In its extended, idiomatic sense ('to have/get on one's nerves,' 'a case of nerves'), it functions as an uncountable, abstract mass noun describing a psychological state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use it identically in anatomical and metaphorical contexts. Minor potential differences in collocational frequency of related phrases (e.g., 'nervous breakdown' vs. 'mental breakdown').
Connotations
Identical connotations of anxiety, sensitivity, and irritation in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/get on [possessive] nervessuffer from nervescalm/steady/soothe [possessive] nervesa bundle/wreck of nervesnerves are frayed/janglingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get on someone's nerves”
- “nerves of steel”
- “a war of nerves”
- “a bundle of nerves”
- “live on one's nerves”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The negotiations were a real test of nerves for the young executive."
Academic
"The study examined the effect of chronic stress on the peripheral nerves."
Everyday
"I always get terrible nerves before a job interview."
Technical
"The surgeon carefully dissected the cranial nerves to preserve function."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Nothing nerves him like a last-minute change of plan.
American English
- The constant delays really started to nerve the team.
adverb
British English
- He waited nervily for the results to be announced.
American English
- She glanced nervily over her shoulder.
adjective
British English
- She gave a nervy performance, full of energy and tension.
- That was a nervy bit of driving!
American English
- He's a nervy kid, always jumping at sounds.
- Making that trade was a nervy move.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud noise hurts my ears and nerves.
- She has good nerves and isn't scared of dogs.
- Waiting for the dentist always frays my nerves.
- You need steady nerves to be a pilot.
- The constant criticism from my boss is really starting to get on my nerves.
- The climber displayed nerves of steel as he crossed the narrow ridge.
- In the fraught silence before the verdict, his nerves were stretched to breaking point.
- The propaganda campaign was designed as a protracted war of nerves against the civilian population.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a network of SERVES (sounds like 'nerves') in your body that SERVE you by carrying messages. When you're anxious, this system feels over-SERVED or overworked.
Conceptual Metaphor
NERVES ARE STRINGS/CABLES (for transmission), NERVES ARE A FABRIC (frayed nerves), ANXIOUS NERVES ARE A JANGLING/FRAGILE OBJECT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'нервы' (nervy) meaning 'brazen' or 'cheeky' in Russian informal slang. The English 'nerves' does not carry this connotation of impudence.
- Avoid calquing 'sit on nerves' for 'get on one's nerves.' The English idiom is fixed.
- In Russian, 'нервы' can directly mean 'a nervous fit/outburst.' In English, you'd say 'a nervous breakdown' or 'a fit of nerves,' not just 'nerves' alone.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular countable noun in the emotional sense (e.g., 'I have a nerve' – incorrect for anxiety; correct: 'I have nerves' or 'I am nervous').
- Confusing 'nerve' (singular = courage/audacity) with 'nerves' (plural = anxiety).
- Misspelling as 'nervs'.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'nerves of steel' most accurately describe?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural. It takes plural verbs and pronouns (e.g., 'My nerves are bad,' 'Calm them').
'Nervous' is an adjective describing a state of anxiety. 'Nerves' is a noun referring either to the physical structures or, idiomatically, to the feeling of anxiety itself (e.g., 'I feel nervous' vs. 'I suffer from nerves').
The singular 'nerve' can mean courage or audacity (e.g., 'He had the nerve to ask'). The plural 'nerves' almost never means courage; it primarily means anxiety or the anatomical structures. The phrase 'nerves of steel' is an exception, implying great courage via the metaphor of unshakeable calm.
Yes, it's a standard idiom meaning a temporary state of nervousness, often affecting performance (e.g., 'Her poor audition was just a case of nerves').