It has taken a long time to screw up the courage.

人们花费了大量的时间方才提振起勇气。

youdao

Some support the bill on its merits, but worry about the reaction of their constituents and so are taking time to screw up the courage to vote for it.

ECONOMIST: Why is Congress so divided over whether to normalise trade?

The rise in health care costs, and especially in the share paid by the patient, is giving people a lot more incentive to screw up their courage to try to bargain down prices.

FORBES: Magazine Article