- be on your mettle
- be on (your) mettle
slightly formal
to be determined to prove that you are good at something, especially in a difficult situation.
It's a tough interview - you'll have to be on your mettle.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
be on your mettle
Look at other dictionaries:
prove/show (your) mettle — slightly formal to prove that you are good at doing something by succeeding in a difficult situation. A relative newcomer to the game, he s certainly proved his mettle in the last two games … New idioms dictionary
on your mettle — chiefly Brit : making an effort to do as well as possible She ll have to be on her mettle [=at her best] to win this competition. • • • Main Entry: ↑mettle * * * on your ˈmettle idiom prepared to use all your skills, knowledge, etc. because you… … Useful english dictionary
prove your mettle — prove (your) mettle to show that you are brave and have a strong character. As a reporter, she certainly proved her mettle working in the midst of a war zone … New idioms dictionary
show your mettle — show (your) mettle See at: prove mettle … New idioms dictionary
mettle — met|tle [ˈmetl] n [U] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: metal] 1.) courage and determination to do something even when it is very difficult test/show/prove your mettle ▪ a crisis which will test the prime minister s mettle 2.) on your mettle BrE if you… … Dictionary of contemporary English
mettle — noun (U) 1 courage and determination to do something even when it is very difficult: a man of mettle | show/prove your mettle (=show that you can do something well, in spite of difficulties): It ll be a hard game, but it should give the team a… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
mettle — [[t]me̱t(ə)l[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT: usu poss N Someone s mettle is their ability to do something well in difficult circumstances. His first important chance to show his mettle came when he opened the new session of the Legislature... For both sides,… … English dictionary
mettle — met|tle [ metl ] noun uncount FORMAL the determination and ability to deal with problems and difficult situations: show/prove your mettle: She has the opportunity to prove her mettle as a manager … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
mettle — UK [ˈmet(ə)l] / US noun [uncountable] formal the determination and ability to deal with problems and difficult situations show/prove your mettle: She has the opportunity to prove her mettle as a manager … English dictionary
mettle — n. 1 the quality of a person s disposition or temperament (a chance to show your mettle). 2 natural ardour. 3 spirit, courage. Phrases and idioms: on one s mettle incited to do one s best. Derivatives: mettled adj. (also in comb.). mettlesome adj … Useful english dictionary
