Meaning & use
courage of my convictions
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
The confidence to act according to what you believe is right, even when others disagree or it is difficult.
Grammar: Used in phrases like 'have the courage of your convictions' or 'show the courage of your convictions'.
Patterns
- have the courage of your convictions
- show the courage of your convictions
She had the courage of her convictions and refused to sign the dishonest contract.
It takes the courage of your convictions to speak up in a meeting when everyone else disagrees.
Common combinations
- have the courage of your convictions
- If you believe in the project, you should have the courage of your convictions and defend it.
- show the courage of your convictions
- The senator showed the courage of her convictions by voting against her own party.
- lack the courage of your convictions
- He talked about honesty but lacked the courage of his convictions when it mattered.
Synonyms and how they differ
- stand by your beliefs
- A more general phrase meaning to support what you believe, but it does not always imply acting with courage.
Commonly confused: courage of my convictions or conviction?
courage of my convictions vs conviction
Conviction can mean a strong belief or a legal judgment that someone is guilty. In this phrase it means a strong belief.
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'She had the courage of her ______ and spoke out against the policy.'
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'courage of your convictions', meaning acting on your beliefs. 'Convenience', 'conventions', and 'conversations' do not fit the meaning of strong beliefs.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “courage of my convictions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.