Lose your bottle
Meaning
To suddenly lose one's courage or nerve at a critical moment.
Origin
In the bustling working-class districts of early 20th-century Britain, where slang often served as a secret language, the phrase 'lose your bottle' emerged as a vivid descriptor for a sudden collapse of courage. While its exact etymology is debated, one compelling theory points to Cockney rhyming slang, where 'bottle and glass' stood for 'arse'—implying that to 'lose your bottle' was to literally lose the feeling in your backside from fear. Another compelling idea links it to the notion of a 'bottle' holding one's 'spirits' or bravery, suggesting that a person who lost their bottle had emptied themselves of courage. Whatever its precise birth, the phrase swiftly captured the essence of faltering nerve, becoming a punchy, popular idiom, particularly in sports and competitive arenas.
Examples
- The striker was about to take the winning penalty, but he seemed to lose his bottle and shot it wide.
- After boasting for weeks, Sarah completely lost her bottle when it was her turn to bungee jump.