Lose your nerve and you're lost.

What it means

In a tight spot, timidity makes everything worse. The moment you give in to panic, you stop thinking and start losing. Keep your nerve and you keep your options.

The source

"Lose your nerve and you're lost." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Что робеть, то хуже. Сробел — пропал."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»). Text read at ru.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Lose your nerve and you're lost." mean?

In a tight spot, timidity makes everything worse. The moment you give in to panic, you stop thinking and start losing. Keep your nerve and you keep your options.

Who said "Lose your nerve and you're lost."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»).

What is the original Russian?

Что робеть, то хуже. Сробел — пропал. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Lose your nerve and you're lost." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Lose your nerve and you're lost." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Boldness — Daring — Cowardice" («Смелость — Отвага — Трусость»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/lose-your-nerve-and-youre-lost