work up courage

I've been trying to work up courage to tell you ever since.

She had been trying to work up courage to speak to him and decided the time was now.

Back and back, with the mutters edging closer, working up courage.

After some months I managed to work up courage to invite one or two pretty girls to the theatre or to a concert.

Custard was barking at him, inches away from his leg, as if working up courage for a quick nip.

Chapter 12 Steady on the Pacing Some years ago I worked up courage to try long fiction.

It took him a long time to work up courage; but at last he went to where he had hidden the star-box, unwrapped it, and brought it to die table.