grip oneself with both hands

English

Phrase

grip oneself with both hands

1. (obsolete) To ready oneself for action or bravery; to gird up one's loins.
   • 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 224:

     But, as the saying goes, I gripped myself with both hands. It grew upon my mind, once I could face the facts, that, terrible as our position was, there was as yet no justification for absolute despair.

   • 1916 February 11, The Northern Herald, Cairns, page 19:

     In every-day life he is inclined somewhat on the excitable side, but as an alderman he apparently grips himself with both hands, and settles down for the welfare of the town as a whole.

   • 1927 July 18, The Herald, Melbourne, page 6:

     The lady, with a do-or-die expression, gripped the wheel, her husband gripped himself with both hands, looking as miserable as a dog at a dance.