How and when to use 'Nerve' idioms

nerves (noun) are a group of long thin fibres that carry information or instructions between the brain and other parts of the body. A nerve is like an electric cable that passes electric current. When your hand touches a something hot, the hand sends the feeling to the brain through nerves.

You don't have to be a doctor to use the word nerve because it is used in a few natural English expressions you should know.

nerves

The word nerves can be used to describe worry, nervousness or anxiety about something that is going to happen:
"I always suffer from nerves when I have to make a speech in front of lots of people."
"Have a drink of whiskey to calm your nerves before you make your speech."

to be a bundle of nerves / a bag of nerves

This idiom is used to show you are nervous about something:
"I was a bundle of nerves before my big job interview."
"I'm a bag of nerves today - I don't know what's wrong with me!"

to get on somebody's nerves

When we annoy somebody a lot we get on their nerves.
"We really started to get on each others nerves when we lived in that small apartment together."
"Can you hear that banging sound? It's really getting on my nerves!"

to have nerves of steel

To be very brave. When you have nerves of steel your are fearless and have courage:
"I think all firefighters have nerves of steel."
"You need nerves of steel to be an Formula 1 racing driver."

to hit / touch a (raw) nerve

To make someone unhappy or upset by saying something to the person doesn't like.
"I think I hit a nerve when I mentioned she was getting fat. I wish I'd hadn't said anything."
"She looked really upset when you talked about her 40th birthday. You really touched a nerve when you discussed her age."

to lose your nerve

When you lose your nerve you become too scared to do something.
"I was going to try bungee jumping but I lost my nerve a didn't do it."
"Don't lose your nerve now - you promised to come on the roller-coaster with me."

to have lot of nerve

When someone has a lot of nerve they show great rudeness; a lot of audacity or brashness. The expression "What a nerve!" is also used.
"You took my seat! You have a lot of nerve sitting there!"
"Did you hear what he said to her. What a nerve! I'm not surprised that she hit him!"

Now use your amazing brains to complete these expressions.

Link: 10 idioms to describe feeling good and bad

Three-part phrasal verbs

Link: 10 Food idioms

• 1 - Did you go skydiving or did you ___ your nerve?
  
  lost
  losing
  lose
  
  
• 2 - The player must have ___ nerves of steel to take that last minute penalty in the final.
  
  had
  a
  the
  
  
• 3 - Be careful what you say to him. Try not to ___ a nerve.
  
  touched
  touch
  touching
  
  
• 4 - I was a ___ of nerves on my wedding day. I wanted everthing to be perfect.
  
  touch
  bag
  hit
  
  
• 5 - That ringing telephone is ___ on my nerves.
  
  getting
  got
  get