noun
gut
The courage to face something difficult or frightening.
She has the guts to speak up when others stay silent.
Etymology
Gut names the internal organs. Its figurative use, usually in guts, treats courage as something held deep inside a person and tested under pressure.
More examples
- It takes guts to admit that you were wrong.
- I finally worked up the guts to ask for help.
- They show real guts by defending their unpopular decision.
Forms
guts
gutsy adjective — Brave enough to face difficult situations.
gutless adjective — Lacking courage when facing difficult situations.