mettle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛt(ə)l/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a person’s ability to cope well with difficulties; spirit and resilience: the team showed their true mettle in the second half

Phrases

be on one's mettle

be ready or forced to do one’s best in a demanding situation: Saturday’s game will be a tricky one and we’ll have to be on our mettle from the start

put someone on their mettle

(of a demanding situation) test someone’s ability to face difficulties: there were regular public meetings where local MPs were put on their mettle and remorselessly pilloried

Origin:

mid 16th century: specialized spelling (used for figurative senses) of metal