On one's mettle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

phrase

Meaning & Definition of On one's mettle

On one's mettle (phrase)

  1. aroused to do one's best

On one's mettle (phrase) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. fully committed to achieving a goal

    "They could see that he was on his mettle before the big game."

    similar: bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-minded
    related: bitter, vehement, certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure, earnest, serious, steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, tenacious, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful
    opposite: faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed
    near: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant

Related Entry: Mettle (noun)

Mettle is a different word from On one's mettle. The synonyms below are for mettle, not for on one's mettle.

  1. strength of spirit; ability to continue despite difficulties

    "He showed his mettle as a fighter tonight with a heroic comeback."

    similar: main, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength, beans, bounce, brio, chutzpah, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vinegar, vitality, zing, zip, backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper, courage, courageousness, guts, gutsiness, heart, intestinal fortitude, nerve, determination, perseverance, resolution, animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity, ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal
    opposite: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness, cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness, debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for On one's mettle

The most common words with a similar meaning to On one's mettle:

bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, single-minded

Antonyms & Opposite Words for On one's mettle

Words with the opposite meaning of On one's mettle:

faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed

Related Words for On one's mettle

bitter, vehement, certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure, earnest, serious, steady, unfaltering, unhesitating, unswerving, unwavering, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, obdurate, persistent, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded

Near Antonyms of On one's mettle

distrustful, doubtful, dubious, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, disinclined, indisposed, loath, reluctant

Frequently Asked Questions about On one's mettle

What does "On one's mettle" mean?

"On one's mettle" means aroused to do one's best. As a phrase, it is defined as: aroused to do one's best.

What is another word for "On one's mettle"?

Other words for "On one's mettle" include bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon) and intent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "On one's mettle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "On one's mettle"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "On one's mettle". Common alternatives include bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out and purposeful.

What is the opposite of "On one's mettle"?

Antonyms of "On one's mettle" include faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating and wavering. Near antonyms include distrustful, doubtful, dubious and mistrustful.

How do you use "On one's mettle" in a sentence?

Examples of "On one's mettle" in a sentence: "They could see that he was on his mettle before the big game.".

Is "On one's mettle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"On one's mettle" is a phrase.

What is another word for "On one's mettle" meaning "fully committed to achieving a goal"?

When "On one's mettle" (phrase) means fully committed to achieving a goal, synonyms include bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, determined, do-or-die and firm. Opposites in this sense include faltering, hesitant, indecisive and irresolute.

What words are related to "On one's mettle"?

Words related to "On one's mettle" include bitter, vehement, certain, cocksure, confident, positive, sure and earnest.