be on one's mettle
1be on one's mettle — ► be on one s mettle be ready to show one s ability or courage. Main Entry: ↑mettle …
2To put one one's mettle — Mettle Met tle, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See {Metal}.] Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition;… …
3on one's mettle — phrasal also upon one s mettle : in a state of being challenged or aroused to make one s best efforts the family business failed and put him on his mettle as a writer Van Wyck Brooks putting both major parties on their mettle John Lodge …
4on one's mettle — idi on one s mettle, ready to do one s best …
5upon one's mettle — phrasal see on one s mettle …
6be on one's mettle — be ready or forced to do one s best. → mettle …
7be on one's mettle — be ready or forced to prove one s ability to cope well with a demanding situation …
8Mettle — Met tle, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See {Metal}.] Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; usually in a… …
9mettle — ► NOUN ▪ spirit and resilience in the face of difficulty. ● be on one s mettle Cf. ↑be on one s mettle ORIGIN variant spelling of METAL(Cf. ↑metal) …
10mettle — [met′ l] n. [var. of METAL, used fig.] quality of character or temperament; esp., high quality of character; spirit; courage; ardor on one s mettle roused or prepared to do one s best …
