That's nerve for you!

English as a Second Language Listening, speaking, pronunciation and accent
1

Hello everyone,

In the 1964 movie Mission to Venice there is a scene where Maria calls Paul and leaves a message for Michael. Michael is present at this conversation and Paul tells him, “That’s it! I’m giving you the message. That’s nerve for you.”

Although I hear “nerve for you” I’m not sure it’s correct.
So what does Paul say?

The scene (phone call) begins at 49.50.
The sentence in question is at 50.21.

Thank you.

.Mission to Venice ( Agent Spécial à Venise ) - 1963 ( VO )

1 Like
2

You heard it correctly.

“That’s nerve for you” means, “That’s a good example of nerve” or “That’s an extreme example of nerve”.

Nerve in this usage means something like boldness. It’s a negative.

Synonyms:
Boldness
Presumptuous
Gall
Guts
Balls
Audacity

“You’ve got a lot of nerve” is a fairly common way to say “You are overly bold.” or “You’ve gone too far”. They have done something that is against social norms.

More generally
“That’s [blank] for you” means that it’s a good example, or extreme example of [blank]. It can be positive or negative, depending on [blank]

That’s nerve for you.
That’s skill for you.
That’s fast for you.

4 Likes
3

Thank you very much, NearlyNapping, for so detailed explanation.

By the way, would simply “What a nerve!” work in this context in place of “That’s nerve for you”?

3 Likes
4

This would be simply “What nerve!” Just like “What boldness”.
“A nerve” would mean a neuron.

Actually, I think I have heard it used, but as part of a sentence.
“What a nerve [he has].”
“What a boldness [he has]’

3 Likes
5

So do I.

  • “Boy, you’ve got quite a nerve!”
  • “Oh, the nerve of that woman, she’s incredible”, she shouted, “what she’s done is inexcusably cruel!”
2 Likes
6

Thank you again, Arinker.

2 Likes
7

Thank you, Marc.

2 Likes