gird up one's loins

English

Etymology

Likely a Hebraism, often used in the King James Bible (e.g., 2 Kings 4:29). Literally referred to the need to strap a belt around one's waist when getting up in order to avoid the cloak falling off.

Verb

to gird up one’s loins

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To prepare oneself for something demanding.
   • 1857, Herman Melville, The Confidence Man, ch. 37:

     Man came into this world, not to sit down and muse, not to befog himself with vain subtleties, but to gird up his loins and to work.

   • 1920, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Rilla of Ingleside, ch. 9:

     Then Susan said briskly, "Well, we must just gird up our loins and pitch in."

   • 2004, "Editorial," nepalnews.com (Nepal), vol. 24, no. 6 (Aug 3-19):

     King Gyanendra must gird up his loins and prepare himself for all exigencies.

Synonyms

• eat one's Wheaties, steel oneself, shape up, suck it up