1 C1 idiomatic informal
To become so nervous that you cannot carry through with an action.
"He nerved out just before the bungee jump and stepped away from the platform."
inseparable
nerve out
C1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
Rare informal expression meaning to become too nervous to act, or to cause someone to feel very nervous.
In plain English
To lose your nerve and not be able to do something because you feel too scared.
What does "nerve out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Very uncommon. Rarely documented. May be confused with 'nerve up' (its near opposite). Non-native speakers should avoid using it, as it may not be understood.
How to conjugate "nerve out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
nerve out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
nerves out
he/she/it
Past simple
nerved out
yesterday
Past participle
nerved out
have + pp
-ing form
nerving out
continuous
Hear "nerve out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "nerve out"
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