steel up
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
Get yourself ready inside your head to do something scary or tough.
Literal meaning: To make something hard like steel — metaphorically applied to one's emotions or will.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To mentally prepare and harden oneself emotionally before facing a difficult or frightening situation.
"She had to steel herself up before knocking on the door to deliver the bad news."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To encourage or push another person to be mentally stronger or braver.
"His coach tried to steel him up before the final round of the championship."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Less common than the reflexive form 'steel yourself/oneself'. Often used before a confrontation, difficult conversation, or challenging task. The metaphor comes from steel as a hard, strong metal.
Commonly used with
yourself nerves resolve confrontation challenge moment
Forms
Base
steel up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
steels up
he/she/it
Past simple
steeled up
yesterday
Past participle
steeled up
have + pp
-ing form
steeling up
continuous
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Synonyms
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