The phrase "musters up" is pronounced as /ˈmʌstərz ʌp/. In this phrase, "musters" is the verb that means to gather or assemble, and "up" is an adverbial particle that intensifies the action. The "er" in "musters" is pronounced as /ər/ and is often spelled with an "er" or "or" ending depending on the root word. The "s" in "musters" is pronounced as /z/ because it follows an unstressed syllable. Therefore, "musters up" is spelled following standard English pronunciation rules.
The phrase "musters up" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used in conversational and informal contexts. It is derived from the verb "muster," which means to gather or assemble, usually for a specific purpose. When someone "musters up" something, it refers to the act of summoning or gathering enough courage, energy, or effort to do or accomplish something challenging or difficult.
The phrase carries a connotation of overcoming hesitation, fear, or reluctance and implies a conscious effort to gather one's inner resources. For instance, if someone musters up the courage to speak in public, it means they are summoning their internal strength and overcoming their fear or nervousness to address an audience.
Additionally, "musters up" can also refer to mustering or gathering physical or mental strength or resources to deal with a situation. For instance, if someone musters up the energy to complete a tedious task, they are gathering their physical stamina and determination to complete the job despite its challenges or lack of motivation.
Overall, "musters up" in its idiomatic sense implies the act of summoning or gathering inner or external resources, whether it be courage, energy, determination, or effort, to confront or accomplish something challenging or demanding.
The word "muster" dates back to Middle English and can be traced to the Old French word "monstre" which means "to show" or "to reveal". It had its roots in the Latin word "monstrare", which also means "to show" or "to point out". Over time, the term "muster" came to refer to the gathering and displaying of troops or the act of bringing together a group of people or things. The addition of "up" in the phrase "musters up" simply intensifies the meaning, emphasizing the effort or courage required to gather or summon something.