to steel oneself
7
7.6
- phrasal verb
- /stil wʌnˈsɛlf/
:
prepararse
- I sighed and drove the wagon over the high bridge into the city, steeling myself for immersion in the filth.
- sighed deeply and steeled herself
- steeled herself and walked
- steeled herself to say
Examples
-
Rebecca steeled herself for the outstretched hand, the face set in angry pleading.
Fiction book (2002) -
Rose steeled herself before setting foot on what might prove to be nothing more than quicksand.
Fiction book (1998) -
When I started out and someone asked me what I did, I used to have to steel myself before saying.
Fiction book (2000) -
Someone please tell me how to steel myself against this profession I have chosen.
Blog text (5) -
All the time I'm steeling myself for what I've got to say to my bosses.
Fiction book (1999) -
I headed into work on the bus, steeling myself for another day of reconnaissance in the glass-and-steel jungle.
Fiction book (1995) -
Heaving a great sigh and steeling herself, Jessica walked to the front of the room.
Fiction book (1995) -
As a second alien began cycling through the lock, LoCarno steeled herself and strode up to face the lead alien.
Fiction book (1998) -
And so, compelled by deities, in the silence, in the enfolding darkness, the long-dead queen steeled herself to stillness and patience.
Fiction book (1992) -
Before making the difficult phone call, she decided to steel herself for the conversation.
Synonyms
487
2.8
To make yourself ready in your mind for something unpleasant or difficult
40
6.5
Get ready for something bad or difficult that you expect to happen
17
4.2
To become or to make someone mentally stronger and less hurt by criticism
12
7.0
To make yourself ready to face something difficult
4
6.8
To get ready mentally for a difficult task
3
7.5
To prepare yourself mentally for something difficult or unpleasant
1
6.6
To make yourself ready to do something difficult
1
7.4
Get ready in your mind to face something unpleasant
Antonyms
How Prepared
57
3.9
- Formal
7
9.2
7
7.6
40
6.5
487
2.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'steel' evokes the metal's hardness and resilience, and combined with the reflexive 'oneself' yields the image 'make oneself like steel' — i.e., harden or brace oneself. This metaphorical composition is direct and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer 'prepare oneself mentally or emotionally'.
Etymology
The idiom steel oneself comes from the image of making yourself as hard and cold as steel. That's why it means 'to prepare yourself mentally or emotionally to face something unpleasant or difficult'.