phrasal
also upon one's mettle
: in a state of being challenged or aroused to make one's best efforts
the family business failed and put him on his mettle as a writer — Van Wyck Brooks
putting both major parties on their mettle — John Lodge
phrasal
also upon one's mettle
: in a state of being challenged or aroused to make one's best efforts
the family business failed and put him on his mettle as a writer — Van Wyck Brooks
putting both major parties on their mettle — John Lodge
Webster's New International English Dictionary. Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster. 2012