Brace Yourself – Meaning and Examples
Has a friend ever told you to “brace yourself” before sharing bad news? This common idiom is a warning. It means to prepare yourself mentally or physically for something difficult, shocking, or unpleasant that is about to happen. Learning brace yourself will help you give and understand important warnings.
What Does “Brace Yourself” Mean?
“Brace yourself” means to prepare for a shock, impact, or a piece of bad news. It tells someone to get ready to handle a difficult situation.
Think of it like this: On an airplane, the crew tells passengers to “brace” for turbulence. This means to hold on and get into a safe position. Similarly, you tell a friend to brace themselves before sharing upsetting news.
Remember, it is used just before the difficult event happens. It is a signal that something challenging is coming.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom to warn someone about many types of difficult situations.
- For Bad News: “Brace yourself—I have some bad news about the project.”
- For Physical Impact: “Brace yourself; this bump in the road is big!”
- For a Shock: “Brace yourself for a surprise when you see the final bill.”
The tone is urgent, serious, and caring. It is used in both informal and slightly formal situations.
Example Sentences
- You’d better brace yourself for the test results.
- He told me to brace myself before he showed me the damage.
- Brace yourself—winter is coming, and it’s going to be cold!
- I had to brace myself before reading the critical email from my boss.
Mini Dialogue
Maria: “We need to talk about the feedback from the client.”
David: “Oh no. That sounds serious. How bad is it?”
Maria: “Just brace yourself. It’s not good, but we can fix it.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is using it for positive surprises. This phrase is for preparing for something negative or difficult.
❌ Don’t say: “Brace yourself for this amazing birthday gift!”
✅ Do say: “Brace yourself for some bad news.” OR “Get ready for this amazing birthday gift!”
Practice Tip
If you ever have to give someone slightly bad news, try using this phrase first. Say, “Brace yourself, but…” It shows you are considerate of their feelings.
Final Note
This is a very direct and useful phrase. It helps people prepare mentally for a challenge, which can make the news easier to handle. Use it to be a more thoughtful communicator.
