brave

I. brave¹ S3 /breɪv/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative braver, superlative bravest)
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Old Italian and Old Spanish bravo 'brave, wild', from Latin barbarus; ⇨ ↑barbarous]
1.
a) dealing with danger, pain, or difficult situations with courage and confidence SYN courageous:
brave soldiers
her brave fight against cancer
it is brave of somebody (to do something)
It was brave of you to speak in front of all those people.
b) the brave [plural] brave people:
Today we remember the brave who died in the last war.
2. very good:
Despite their captain’s brave performance, Arsenal lost 2–1.
brave effort/attempt
the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life
3. put on a brave face/front to pretend that you are happy when you are really very upset
4. brave new world a situation or a way of doing something that is new and exciting and meant to improve people’s lives:
the brave new world of digital television
—bravely adverb:
She smiled bravely.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ brave showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult: I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump. | a brave attempt to change the system
▪ courageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease: a courageous speech | her courageous fight against cancer
▪ daring brave and willing to take a lot of risks: a daring escape from a prison camp | a daring fighter pilot | a daring thing to do
▪ bold willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks: It was a bold move to set up his own company. | She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.
▪ intrepid written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places: an intrepid traveller | We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.
▪ adventurous used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things: More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.
▪ fearless not afraid of anything or anyone: a fearless campaigner for human rights
▪ heroic very brave and admired by many people: heroic rescuers | Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.
▪ plucky brave and determined – often used in newspapers: Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.

for better or (for) worse

used to say that something must be accepted, whether it is good or bad, because it cannot be changed 

Work is, for better or worse, becoming more flexible nowadays.

in a rut

living or working in a situation that never changes, so that you feel bored

 I was stuck in a rut and decided to look for a new job.

the status quo

the state of a situation as it is

maintain/preserve/defend the status quo (=not make any changes) 

Will the West use its influence to maintain the status quo and not disrupt the flow of oil?

a leopard can’t change its spot

sused to say that people cannot change their character

old habits die hard

used to say that it is difficult to make people change their attitudes or behaviour 

She knew it probably wasn’t necessary anymore, but old habits die hard.

adjustment

ad‧just‧ment AC /əˈdʒʌstmənt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: verb: ↑adjust; noun: ↑adjustment; adjective: ↑adjustable]
1. a small change made to a machine, system, or calculation
adjustment for
Once we make the adjustments for inflation, the fall in interest rates is quite small.
adjustment to
a slight adjustment to the mechanism
minor/slight adjustment
It just needs a few minor adjustments.
2. a change in the way that someone behaves or thinks:
a period of adjustment
adjustment to
her adjustment to her new role