Verb Phrase | Courage Descriptor
Encyclopedia of British Slang
BOTTLE IT
Verb Phrase | Mildly Critical | Courage Descriptor
BOTTLE IT Pronunciation: /’b?t-?l ?t/ Part of Speech: Verb Phrase Severity Level: Mildly Critical Category: Courage Descriptor
Definition
To bottle it means to lose nerve or back out of something.
Usage
He bottled it before the speech.
Cultural Insight
Common in sports and social risk contexts.
Implies failure of bravery.
Assessment
Frequently used, especially in football culture.
Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. He currently lives in Holloway, North London. Contact: [email protected]
