0

I have a question about the usage of the verb "brace". According to definition 1 of this dictionary, a person could "brace oneself" (and only the same self) for some adverse situation. But then, there is this usage in some news article:

Clinton’s campaign manager braced supporters for the potential setback in a memo Wednesday that suggested the former secretary of state may lose the caucus states this weekend.

which suggests that a person could "brace" another person for some adverse situation. Is the usage in the article wrong, or is the dictionary missing an entry?

Improve this question
1
  • As is customary in many of your questions, you have presumed something that isn't explicitly stated. In particular, the dictionary does not say "and only the same self" – that's a restriction you have erroneously added. The usage is not wrong, nor is the dictionary missing an entry; the entry says quite simply, "get ready for something unpleasant," so the sentence means, "Clinton’s campaign manager got supporters ready for something unpleasant."
    – J.R. ♦
    Mar 5, 2016 at 19:28

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

The Oxford Dictionary includes this among its definitions of brace:

"Prepare (someone or oneself) for something difficult or unpleasant."

See http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/brace

I believe this definition was simply overlooked by the Macmillan Dictionary.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .