nerve 
/ˈnɚv/ noun
plural nerves /ˈnɚv/ noun 1 [count] : one of the many thin parts that control movement and feeling by carrying messages between the brain and other parts of the body
▪ The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see. ▪ a condition affecting the nerves in her arm 2 [noncount] : courage that allows you to do something that is dangerous, difficult, or frightening
▪ It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career. ▪ He found/summoned the nerve to stand up to his boss. ▪ I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve. 3 [singular, noncount] : the rude attitude of someone who says or does things that make other people angry or upset
▪ You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way. ▪ I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar. ▪ “After making the mess, he didn't even offer to help clean it up.” “What (a) nerve!” 4 nerves [plural] : feelings of being worried or nervous
▪ The groom was overcome by nerves before his wedding. ▪ The singer still suffers from nerves before a performance. ▪ Her nerves were on edge [=she was nervous] before her exam. ▪ I need a drink to steady/calm my nerves. [=relax]
▪ The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see. ▪ a condition affecting the nerves in her arm
▪ It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career. ▪ He found/summoned the nerve to stand up to his boss. ▪ I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve.
▪ You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way. ▪ I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar. ▪ “After making the mess, he didn't even offer to help clean it up.” “What (a) nerve!”
▪ The groom was overcome by nerves before his wedding. ▪ The singer still suffers from nerves before a performance. ▪ Her nerves were on edge [=she was nervous] before her exam. ▪ I need a drink to steady/calm my nerves. [=relax]
a bag/bundle of nerves
informal : an extremely nervous person
▪ He was a bundle of nerves before his speech.
▪ He was a bundle of nerves before his speech.
get on someone's nerves
: to become extremely annoying to someone
▪ That car alarm is getting on my nerves.
▪ That car alarm is getting on my nerves.
hit/strike/touch a nerve
: to make someone feel angry, upset, embarrassed, etc.
▪ Something she said to him must have hit/struck/touched a nerve. I've never seen him so angry. ▪ His controversial column might have hit a (raw/sensitive) nerve with some readers.
▪ Something she said to him must have hit/struck/touched a nerve. I've never seen him so angry. ▪ His controversial column might have hit a (raw/sensitive) nerve with some readers.
nerves of steel
: an impressive ability to remain calm in dangerous or difficult situations
▪ It takes nerves of steel to work in such a high-pressure job.
▪ It takes nerves of steel to work in such a high-pressure job.
war of nerves
: a situation in which people do or say things to make other people feel afraid or nervous about what will happen
▪ The company and the union are engaged in a war of nerves, with each side threatening the other.
▪ The company and the union are engaged in a war of nerves, with each side threatening the other.
