prove your mettle

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   to show, through a difficult test or situation, that you have courage, ability, or determination.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase; the possessive changes with the subject: prove my/your/his mettle.

   Patterns

   • prove your mettle
   • prove your mettle in something
   • prove your mettle against someone

   The young goalkeeper proved her mettle when she saved two penalties in the final.

   He had to prove his mettle during a very tough first year at the company.

   This exam will give you a chance to prove your mettle.

2. 2phraseidiom

   to demonstrate that you deserve a position, role, or respect by performing well under pressure.

   Grammar: Often followed by as or in: prove your mettle as a leader.

   Patterns

   • prove your mettle as something
   • prove your mettle in a role

   She proved her mettle as a manager when the team lost its biggest client.

   New players must prove their mettle before they get a permanent contract.

Common combinations

prove your mettle

The soldiers proved their mettle in the first week of training.

a chance to prove your mettle

The tournament gave him a chance to prove his mettle.

prove your mettle against someone

The team will prove its mettle against the champions next month.

really prove your mettle

You really prove your mettle when things go wrong.

Synonyms and how they differ

show your courage

This is a plain description of being brave; prove your mettle is more idiomatic and suggests a test or challenge.

prove yourself

This is more general and can refer to any skill; prove your mettle specifically suggests courage or strength of character.

Word family

mettle noun

courage and determination, especially when facing difficulty.

Commonly confused: prove your mettle or metal?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “prove your mettle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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