What nerve Meaning in English
expression
ˈhwət/, /ˈwət/ /ˈnɝv
WUHT NURV
wˈɒt/ /nˈɜːv
WOT NERV
Definition
An expression used to show shock or anger when someone does something rude, bold, or disrespectful. It means you can't believe someone had the courage to do something so bold.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, sometimes sarcastic. Usually used about someone else (third person), often after witnessing unexpected or rude actions. Similar to 'the nerve' or 'how dare they'. Not literal; do not use for medical meanings of 'nerve'.
Spanish: ¡qué descaro! - ¡qué cara!Portuguese (BR): que ousadia! - que atrevimento!Portuguese (PT): que lata! - que atrevimento!Chinese (Simplified): 真有胆量！ - 好大的胆子！Chinese (Traditional): 真有膽量！ - 好大的膽子！Hindi: क्या हिम्मत है!Arabic: يا للوقاحة! - يا له من جرأة!Bengali: কী সাহস - কী স্পর্ধাRussian: какая наглость - вот дерзостьJapanese: よくそんなことができるね - なんて図々しいVietnamese: thật là to gan - thật là trơ trẽnKorean: 뻔뻔하다 - 어떻게 그럴 수가Turkish: ne cesaret - ne yüzsüzlükUrdu: کیا جرأت - کیا دیدہ دلیریIndonesian: berani sekali - kurang ajar
Example Sentences
What nerve he has to talk to the teacher like that!
basic
She parked in the boss’s spot. What nerve!
basic
What nerve to ask for more money after being late!
basic
He told me to clean his desk—what nerve!
natural
What nerve—she didn’t even say thank you after the gift.
natural
You borrowed my bike and brought it back dirty—what nerve!
natural