Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gird up one's loins

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.10 in modern English

Syllables: gird up one's loins
IPA

19

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

1

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To prepare oneself for something demanding.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"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."
"Then Tom girded up his loins, so to speak, and went to work to “get his verses.”"
"Then Susan said briskly, "Well, we must just gird up our loins and pitch in.""
"King Gyanendra must gird up his loins and prepare himself for all exigencies."

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, i.e. when getting up, in order to avoid the cloak falling off; or otherwise before battle, to free the legs for running.

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

girds up one's loins (present, singular) girding up one's loins (participle, present) girded up one's loins (participle, past) girded up one's loins (past) girt up one's loins (archaic, participle) girt up one's loins (archaic, past) gird one's loins (alternative) girdle one's loins (alternative)

Phrases

batten down the hatches tighten one's belt

Frequently Paired Words

batten down the hatches tighten one's belt

Synonyms

brace oneself eat one's Wheaties roll up one's sleeves shape up steel oneself suck it up

Questions

What does gird up one's loins mean?: To prepare oneself for something demanding.
Where does gird up one's loins come from?: 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, i.e. when getting up, in order to avoid the cloak falling off; or otherwise before battle, to free the legs for running.

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