to steel
- verb
- /stiːl/
- I steeled myself for this result, but now that it's come...
So that is also something that you need to be steeled for going into it.
- So that is also something that you need to be steeled for going into it.
- So you have to sort of steel yourself for that.
Examples
-
Early in 1567, he privately abandoned the attempt at compromise and steeled himself for the coming conflict.
Academic text (1999) -
Let's load these munitions into the Armadillo and steel ourselves for combat.
-
So you have to sort of steel yourself for that.
-
I can judge their characters by how quickly they manage to steel themselves for a second try.
Fiction book (1999) -
Someone please tell me how to steel myself against this profession I have chosen.
Blog text (5) -
Let's take a look at it," Artus said, steeling himself for the sight.
Fiction book (1992) -
All the time I'm steeling myself for what I've got to say to my bosses.
Fiction book (1999) -
But I'm glad I did, because once I steeled myself for how awful people are, I noticed an interesting but troubling trend.
-
Mandy looked uncertain, and Silas steeled himself for whatever she was about to say.
Fiction book (1991) -
Before the meeting, he had to steel himself for the tough questions the board might ask.
Synonyms
To prepare yourself to face something unpleasant or difficult
To prepare yourself mentally for something difficult or unpleasant
To make yourself ready to do something difficult
Get ready in your mind to face something unpleasant
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
The ability to stay calm and brave in dangerous or difficult situations
Phrasal Verbs
- Specialized
Heat then cool steel to make it less brittle and easier to shape
Compounds
A musical instrument with metal strings played by sliding a steel bar to make a smooth singing sound
A Caribbean musical instrument made from an oil barrel that you hit to make different notes
- Specialized
A strong, hard metal made by adding carbon to iron for tools and knives
- Specialized
Strong metal formed into beams and other shapes to support buildings
- Specialized
A strong, hard steel with wavy patterns often used for sword blades
- Specialized
A very hard metal used for cutting tools that stays hard when hot
A small cleaning tool of thin metal threads used to remove dirt or smooth surfaces
- Specialized
A very hard metal blend that resists heat and is used for cutting tools
- Specialized
Steel with a very hard surface and a softer inside to resist wear
- Specialized
A strong steel alloy with chromium and nickel that resists rust and stays flexible at different temperatures
- Specialized
A strong metal made with chromium and tungsten that resists heat and wear
- Specialized
High-quality steel made by melting iron with charcoal in a small metal pot so the metal becomes pure and strong
- Specialized
Hard steel with a wavy pattern used to make strong, decorated sword blades
- Specialized
A type of steel that does not rust easily and is not magnetic, used for medical instruments and cooking pots
- Specialized
Steel that contains 10–14% manganese and stands up to wear and strong impacts
- Specialized
A type of steel that contains about 0.9% carbon and forms a fine, layered structure when it cools
- Specialized
A very hard steel with 10 to 14 percent manganese that resists wear and shock
- Specialized
A type of steel that is not very soft or very hard used when strength and flexibility are needed
- Specialized
Very hard, strong steel used for tools and machine parts that resists wear
- Specialized
Steel with more carbon that is very strong and not easy to bend, often used for tools and blades
- Specialized
A type of metal that stays hard at high temperatures used to make cutting tools like drills
- Specialized
A kind of steel with more than 0.9% carbon that has extra hard parts and resists wear
- Specialized
A type of steel with less than 0.9% carbon that has both softer and harder parts
- Specialized
Metal made by adding nickel to steel so it resists rust and is very strong
- Specialized
A type of steel cooled quickly in oil so it becomes very hard and does not wear away easily
- Specialized
A strong steel that has vanadium added to make it harder and more heat resistant
- Specialized
A very hard metal used for tools that contains tungsten and resists heat
How Determined
Surface Forms
Etymology
To steel yourself comes from the idea of becoming like steel — to make your mind 'hard' and ready — so it now means preparing yourself with determination or courage.