cowboy up 

it means when things are getting tough you have to get back up, dust yourself off and keep trying.

Let's all cowboy up and get this job finished!

cowboy up by brattygrrl911 August 3, 2003

cowboy up 

quit your bitching and be a man. when it gets tough start playing hard.

Before the big game against our rivals someone said "Cowboy up" to the pesimistic pussies.

cowboy up by daywalker October 7, 2003

cowboy up 

When faced with a hard chore, it's a shift in attitude from "can't" to a positive "can-do" with confidence and a non-complaining spirit that becomes contageous.

Halfway through a hot day of hauling hay you might tell yourself or your buddy to "c'mon, cow-boy up." and thereby keep your work and your attitude from going south.

cowboy up by still_do December 1, 2003

Cowboy Up 

Basically, another way of saying "Shut up and take it like a man" or "Quit your whining." The term is derived from the popular image of cowboys being tough, unflinching, uncomplaining, and hard-working.

"Cowboy up, man. What would John Wayne say if he heard you complaining over a little hard work?"

Cowboy Up by You Can't Kill the Metal October 7, 2006

cowboy up 

Essentially another term for self-endowment of strength and moral, or to another. Essentially another term for a similar phrase like, "toughen up", or "stop your belly-aching and fight!", etc etc.

"I'm sure this is a word made by southerners. I'm not southern, but I like the definition of what it means. Reminds me of me. ^_^ "
-me

cowboy up by Dave February 22, 2004

cowboy up 

(an insult used between men): to metaphorically " grown an extra pair of balls" and assume your responsibilities like a grown

Not very bright teenage son: dad I got my girlfriend pregnant. What do I do?

Father: all you have to do is cowboy up son, and btw, I am busy ( closes the study door in son's face)

cowboy up by Uncle Dimma May 30, 2016

cowboy up 

The original meaning of "Cowboy Up" was to inform the next bullrider or bucking bronco rider at a rodeo to get ready to ride or "cowboy up". Now it means to stop being a pussy liberal snowflake with your safe spaces and whiny bullshit, grow up and be a man for once in your pathetic life.

Liberal snowflake type: Oh no! Trump won the election! I need to find a safe space to calm down and stop crying.

Real man type: No you need to stop being a pussy and cowboy up!

cowboy up by NOMmnom March 7, 2017