steel
Related to steel: mild steel, steel plant
(as) sharp as a steel trap
Able to understand or grasp information quickly. David's as sharp as a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly.
See also: sharp, steel, trap
(as) true as steel
1. Unwaveringly loyal, dependable, and trustworthy; having unquestionable moral principles. The financial accounts are in good hands with Mr. Thompson, here—he's the best in the industry, and as true as steel. She's the one person in the whole operation I'd consider true as steel, the only one I'd put such faith in.
2. Absolutely correct; not untrue in the slightest. They say that actions speak louder than words, and that's as true as steel when it comes to politics. A: "Is what he said correct, Tom?" B: "Yep—true as steel."
See also: steel, true
have a mind as sharp as a steel trap
To be able to understand or grasp information quickly. David has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly.
See also: have, mind, sharp, steel, trap
have a mind like a steel trap
To be able to understand or grasp information quickly. David has a mind like a steel trap, so if you give him the instructions, he'll follow them perfectly.
See also: have, like, mind, steel, trap
have nerves of steel
To have the ability to stay calm at all times, even during pressure-filled situations. If you're going to be a neurosurgeon, you need to have nerves of steel—there's no time to panic when you're operating on someone's brain. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger.
See also: have, nerve, of, steel
nerves of steel
The ability to stay calm at all times, even during pressure-filled situations. Steel is known for being very strong. If you're going to be a neurosurgeon, you need to have nerves of steel—there's no time to panic when you're operating on someone's brain. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger.
See also: nerve, of, steel
of steel
Used to describe something exceptionally tough, resilient, or coldly unyielding. My mother had nerves of steel, and she never backed down from danger. He had a look of steel that would intimidate even the toughest negotiators.
See also: of, steel
ring of steel
1. A group of armed guards that encircle someone or something as a means of protection or to prevent escape. Police are planning to protect the family with a ring of steel during tomorrows funeral, following death threats made against them.
2. A system of security cameras set up around the perimeter of a city, usually to capture license plate information of cars passing in or out. The city announced it would be investing a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars into a new ring of steel, meant to cut accidents, catch speeders, and alert police to the location of suspects.
See also: of, ring, steel
steel (one's) heart against (someone or something)
To stop or keep oneself from feeling kindness and compassion towards someone or something. I worry that all the trauma she's already been through at such a young age will steel her heart against other people.
See also: heart, steel
steel (someone or oneself) against (someone or something)
To cause someone or oneself to be mentally and emotionally prepared, obdurate, and unyielding in the face of some difficult or unpleasant person, task, situation, outcome, etc. The future may look grim, but we must steel ourselves against the challenges ahead. Our people have long been steeled against would be tyrants like you! I know I'm tough on you, but I'm trying to steel you against life's many difficulties and disappointments.
See also: steel
steel (someone or oneself) for (something)
To cause someone or oneself to be mentally and emotionally prepared for and hardened against some difficult or unpleasant task, situation, outcome, etc. As horrible as the prospect may be, we all must steel ourselves for war. I know I'm tough on you, but I'm trying to steel you for the challenges you'll face later in life.
See also: steel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
have a mind as sharp as a steel trap
Fig. to be very intelligent. She's a smart kid. Has a mind as sharp as a steel trap. They say the professor has a mind as sharp as a steel trap, but then why can't he figure out which bus to take in the morning?
See also: have, mind, sharp, steel, trap
nerves of steel
Fig. very steady nerves; great patience and courage. I was scared to death, but Fred, who has nerves of steel, faced the thugs bravely.
See also: nerve, of, steel
steel oneself for someone or something
to prepare oneself for someone or something difficult or unpleasant; to get ready to face someone or something. Aunt Helen is coming for a visit. We should steel ourselves for her. I think something is going wrong. We had better steel ourselves for a shock.
See also: steel
steel someone against someone or something
to fortify someone against someone or something; to prepare someone to endure someone or something. I tried to steel Liz against Carl, who was bringing her some very bad news. We steeled her against the bad news.
See also: steel
*true as steel
very loyal and dependable. (*Also: as ~.) Through all my troubles, my husband has been as true as steel. Pedro was a staunch friend, true as steel.
See also: steel, true
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
mind like a steel trap, have a
Be very quick to understand something, as in Aunt Ida may be old, but she still has a mind like a steel trap. This simile likens the snapping shut of an animal trap to a quick mental grasp.
See also: have, like, mind, steel
steel one's heart against
Also, harden one's heart. Suppress one's feelings for, as in He finally steeled his heart against them and refused the loan, or You'll just have to harden your heart and tell them the truth. This metaphoric idiom transfers making something hard to rendering oneself insensible or unfeeling. Versions of it date from the late 1500s. Also see heart of stone.
See also: heart, steel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
nerves of steel
If someone has nerves of steel, they do not get nervous or frightened even in very difficult or dangerous situations. You need nerves of steel in this business and I've got them. You need nerves of steel to be a formula one driver.
See also: nerve, of, steel
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
have nerves of steel
not be easily upset or frightened.See also: have, nerve, of, steel
ring of steel
an encircling armed barrier preventing escape or restricting access.See also: of, ring, steel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
have nerves of ˈsteel
not be easily frightened in a difficult or dangerous situation: She won’t be nervous about doing it. She’s got nerves of steel.See also: have, nerve, of, steel
of ˈsteel
having a quality like steel, especially a strong, cold or hard quality: She felt a hand of steel (= a strong, firm hand) on her arm. There was a hint of steel in his voice (= he sounded cold and firm).See also: of, steel
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- (as) sharp as a steel trap
- have a mind like a steel trap
- mind like a steel trap, have a
- have a mind as sharp as a steel trap
- on the uptake
- a bit obtuse
- be quick on the uptake
- within grasp
- cotton on to (something)
- cotton on