balls

acceptable sex-specific word when it means testicles. Women are occasionally congratulated with "That took balls!" or encouraged with "You have the balls for it." For inclusive metaphorical use, substitute guts, moxie, courage, nerve, bravery, self-assurance, confidence, determination, stamina, spunk. For "ballbreaker/ballbuster," meaning a difficult or complicated task or situation, use gutbuster, tough row to hoe, killer, bad news, hell on wheels, no picnic, up a tree, hell of a note, tall/large order, tough grind/one, tough sledding, sticky business, stumper, uphill job, tight spot. For "ballbreaker," meaning a woman, see bitch, castrate/castrating, shrew. See also ballsy.