put someone on their mettle
put (one) on (one's) mettle
To put one in a situation in which they must prove their worth, skill, or ability. Being promoted to general manager at such a young age is certainly going to put her on her mettle. Our goal is to put each of these athletes on their mettle to see who earns the spot on the team.
See also: mettle, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put someone on their mettle
(of a demanding situation) test someone's ability to face difficulties in a spirited and resilient way.Originally the same word as metal , mettle was no more than a variant spelling that gradually became particularly associated with figurative uses of the word, meaning ‘quality of temperament’, and from that ‘natural spirit’ or ‘courage’. These senses eventually developed so far from the literal senses that it was no longer apparent that they were originally the same word. The distinctive spellings metal and mettle to distinguish the two were in use by the early 18th century, though not necessarily universally applied until the following century.
See also: mettle, on, put, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- cut (one) down in (one's) prime
- cut (one) off in (one's) prime
- cut someone off in their prime
- prime
- another string to (one's) bow
- another string to your bow
- a one-trick pony
- one-trick pony
- pony
- add another string to (one's) bow