have a nerve

have a/some nerve

To do something bold, daring, or impudent. Wow, that intern has some nerve asking for a raise on her first day! You really have a nerve, asking Mom for money when you already know she's in a bad mood.See also: have, nerve

have the nerve to (do something)

To have the will to do something bold, daring, or impudent. Wow, I can't believe that intern had the nerve to ask for a raise on her first day!See also: have, nerve

have a nerve

Also, have some nerve. Have audacity, show effrontery. For example, You have a nerve telling me what to do, or She had some nerve, criticizing the people who donated their time. The related have the nerve is used with an infinitive, as in He had the nerve to scold his boss in public. This idiom uses nerve in the sense of "courage" or "audacity." [Late 1800s] See also: have, nerve

have a ˈnerve

(informal) behave in a way that other people think is rude or not appropriate: She had a nerve, arriving half an hour late for the meeting.She borrowed my new bicycle without asking. What a nerve!See also: have, nerve