He proved/showed his mettle [=he proved/showed how tough he is] as a fighter tonight.
The competition will test her mettle.
She'll have to be on her mettle [=at her best] to win this competition.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
met|tle|some — «MEHT uhl suhm», adjective. full of mettle; spirited; courageous: »a mettlesome horse. SYNONYM(S): ardent, fiery … Useful english dictionary
met|tle — … Useful english dictionary
met — met·ri·cal; met·ri·cism; met·ri·cist; met·ri·fi·ca·tion; met·ri·fy; met·rio·cra·nic; met·rio·metopic; met·ro·logical; met·ro·mania; met·ron; met·ro·nome; met·ro·nom·ic; met·ro·pole; met·ro·pol·i·tan·ate; met·ro·pol·i·tan·ism;… … English syllables
tle — abris·tle; abus·tle; apos·tle; apos·tle·hood; apos·tle·ship; bait·tle; bat·tle·dore; bat·tle·ment; bat·tle·ment·ed; bat·tle·some; be·lit·tle; be·lit·tle·ment; bot·tle·ful; bris·tle·less; brus·tle; but·tle; cac·o·mis·tle; cas·tle·ry; cas·tle·ward; … English syllables
mettle — met·tle … English syllables
mettle — met·tle (mĕt’l) n. ▸ The ability to meet a challenge or persevere under demanding circumstances; determination or resolve: »a race that tested the best runners mettle. Idiom: ● on (one s) mettle ▸ Prepared to accept a challenge and do one s best … Word Histories
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
mettlesome — met|tle|some [ˈmetlsəm] adj literary full of energy and determination … Dictionary of contemporary English
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
mettlesome — met|tle|some [ metlsəm ] adjective VERY FORMAL determined to succeed … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
