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brass neck

British  

noun

  1. informal effrontery; nerve

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like many in her tribe, Ms Truss has never been short of that priceless political quality: a brass neck.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2023

And he claimed the PM was "running out of road and brass neck to hide behind".

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2022

Some people who challenge Alex Maskey have a brass neck.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2013

The quotes from erstwhile Question of Sport cheeky chappie McCoist show a commendable brass neck.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2012

Ancient Greek parents were no more prone to call their sons “Crow” than modern ones—and would anyone called “Crow” have the brass neck to teach the art of public speaking for a living?

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

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