mettle

[ met-l ]

noun

1. courage and fortitude:

   a man of mettle.

   Synonyms: fiber, nerve, ardor, vigor, pluck, valor

2. disposition or temperament:

   a man of fine mettle.

mettle

/ ˈmɛtəl /

noun

1. courage; spirit
2. inherent character
3. on one's mettle
   roused to putting forth one's best efforts

Word History and Origins

Origin of mettle¹

1575–85; spelling variant of metal, in metaphoric usages

Word History and Origins

Origin of mettle¹

C16: originally variant spelling of metal

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on one's mettle, in the position of being incited to do one's best:

   The loss of the first round put him on his mettle to win the match.

Example Sentences

Bromwich, who was formerly a federal prosecutor and the inspector general at the Justice Department, said the second Trump term will “test the mettle” of prosecutors and judges.

From Los Angeles Times

If the hosts win to prove their mettle and pass muster, the All Blacks may find Test rugby's top tier, like many exclusive clubs, operates a one-in, one-out policy.

From BBC

In so doing, he explores the reality behind the effort that it required for artists such as Lennon to find their mettle as musicians.

From Salon

The second-wicket pair showed mettle to survive, particularly in case of Crawley, in his first innings since July because of a broken finger.

From BBC

Heinicke recalls that game as the moment his career turned for the better as he got to show his mettle as a starter for most of the season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bravery
• caliber
• courage
• fortitude
• grit
• spunk
• stamina
• temperament