noun
test of courage
A traditional activity where people visit a frightening place, such as a graveyard or haunted house, to prove their bravery. Often done in groups at night.
夏の夜に友達と肝試しに行った。
I went to a test of courage with my friends on a summer night.
肝試しで墓地を通るのは怖かった。
It was scary to pass through the graveyard for the test of courage.
Rarely used kanji form; 肝 is preferred.
度胸試し is a broader term for testing one's nerve in any situation, while 肝試し specifically refers to the traditional activity of visiting scary places.
Compound of 肝 (kimo, 'liver; courage') and 試し (dameshi, 'test'). The liver was traditionally considered the seat of courage in Japanese culture.