mettle['metl]n.1.■性格；内在的气质2.■勇气；精神；才能3.■耐力，持久力be on (或upon) one's mettle鼓起勇气，奋发，发挥最大的能力，准备尽最大的努力put someone off his mettle[废语]使某人泄气，挫某人的锐气put (或 set) someone on his mettle考验某人的毅力和勇气[亦作 try someone's mettle]使某人振作起来，激励某人尽最大努力show one's mettle (或 metal)显示自己的气质(或品质)