A term used by small city fire departments when a Big City Fire Fighter takes initiative to accomplish a task during an emergency without being told to do so.
Did you see the Big City Fire Engineer "Cowboy up" when he took lights and blowers to the front door of that structure fire? I.C. never requested that.
by Johnny Wayne October 05, 2013
by brattygrrl911 August 03, 2003
by daywalker October 07, 2003
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.
by still_do December 02, 2003
"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.
by Jeff Newell October 11, 2003
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.
by You Can't Kill the Metal October 07, 2006
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
-me
by Dave February 22, 2004