http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cowboy+up

I hadn't heard that expression until now. According to Urbandictionary: "It means when things are getting tough you have to get back up, dust yourself off and keep trying." You can check out other submissions here: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cowboy+up

I think it basically means "buck up" -- stop whining and be a man, not to put too fine a point on it... You never saw John Wayne or Clint Eastwood sitting around kvetching, did you?

Cowboyup means: rodeo life: tuff-up, get back on yer horse, don't back down, don't give up, and do the best you can with the hand you're dealt. The cowboy symbolizes the free life, closely tied to the out-of-doors and Nature. The impact of land, the grass, the rivers and streams and gushing springs, the color of the sky and the clouds, the climate and the weather, these things are characteristic of the real and the mythical cowboy cultures. Cowboy Up America When a Cowboy's in a pinch he just tightens up the cinch, spurs his horse and rides right through it cause that's the way the Duke'd do it. He'd Cowboy Up. And with our country now in danger a cowboy's like the old Lone Ranger. Ridin' hard and shootin' straight fightin' those who spread the hate. He'd Cowboy'd Up. A Cowboy's ready and he's willin' to face the foe, like Marshal Dillon. And when the gunsmoke clears away Cowboy Spirit wins the day. So, Cowboy Up. Pull your hat down tight and don't back down from what is right. We'll bring back "Happy Trails" for you like Hoppy, Gene and Roy would do. Think back about Flight 93 and how those heroes came to be. They knew that thousands more could die if they just let that airplane fly They Cowboy'd Up. One widow had this tale to share. A husband's love and one last prayer. And when their sacrifice was done terror lost and Freedom won "Let's Roll", he said and Cowboy'd up. Cause Cowboys fight until they win just like TV's Paladin. They will not let our flag unravel as long as they Have Gun, Will Travel And Cowboy Up, hell bent for leather. Cause we're all in this fight together. We're ridin' hard right on their trail and with God's help, we will prevail. If Gary Cooper, Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott were here today they'd fight for what is right and true like Rex and Tex and Lash LaRue. Who weren't afraid to Cowboy Up. So, let's give Uncle Sam a hand cause we're all ridin' for his brand. And with that Texan in the saddle our posse's gonna win the battle. Let's Cowboy Up, pull our hats down tight. Be rough and ready for the fight. Our country's through with playin' games. We're kickin' butt and taking names. Yeah, Cowboy'd Up, pard, that means you. Stand up tall and 'fore we're through we'll kick 'em right in their gee-had Cause now, they've made the Cowboys Mad. http://www.cowboyup.com/cowboyup_meaning.html

The same thing as "man up". Stop being a boy and act like a man.

Take it like a woman, as my daughter says :)

It means I have a date for the evening. :o)