Bottle never cracked (5)
I believe the answer is:
nerve
'bottle' is the definition.
(both can mean courage)
'never cracked' is the wordplay.
'cracked' indicates an anagram.
'never' with letters rearranged gives 'NERVE'.
(Other definitions for nerve that I've seen before include "displaying self-possession" , "Cord that carries instructions from brain to body" , "Brass - steel" , "Fearlessness" , "Impudence (colloq.)" .)