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

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Cowboy Up!

"Cowboy Up" is when you are injured or down and the prospect of doing whatever it is you're about to try is so bleak that the best you can hope for is to live through it.

This year, the Boston Red Sox cowboyed up to rally against the Yankees in the championship series.

Cowboy Up! by Jeff Newell October 10, 2003

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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

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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

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