mettle to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mettle to say" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words, possibly intended to express courage or determination to speak out. Example: "She had the mettle to say what everyone else was thinking, despite the risks involved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We Philly fans have once again taken up a position beside ourselves, amazed that this team, which seemed so gutless during the regular season, has demonstrated such playoff mettle, to say nothing of competence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"A big decline like that really tests the mettles of the market, and I've got to say it passed with flying colors," Goldman says.

Forbes

ATHENS — Ever since Greece's credit rating was downgraded last week, its new Socialist government has fought back, saying it has the mettle to tackle the soaring deficit and structural woes that have earned the country a reputation as the weak link in the euro zone.

The New York Times

And yet he seems to lack the mettle to simply own up to what he said and millions have heard.

Huffington Post

She and the other three women in the program maintained a friendly competition with the male students which, she said, "put us on our mettle to prove that we, too, were serious students and competitors.

Wikipedia

Of course not all the women displayed the imperial mettle of, say, Gertrude Bell, who helped found modern Iraq.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, many mainstream human rights organizations praise Mr. Fu's mettle and say he does an admirable job juggling the demands of his evangelical backers with the broader causes of democracy and legal reform in China.

The New York Times

He said he would now use similar mettle to make his return, whenever it is.

The New York Times - Sports

"It?s a good way to become familiar with the terminology and processes associated with clinical trials," says Gladman, as well as an opportunity to prove your mettle to potential employers.

Science Magazine

The Liberal Democrats have shown they have "the mettle to take the tough decisions but the right decisions" in government, their Welsh leader says.

BBC

Ms Kendall, he said, would be able to confront the "big challenges" facing Labour and would have the "leadership mettle" to succeed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "mettle to say", opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "courage to speak" or "determination to express" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid combining "mettle" with "to say" as it doesn't form a recognized idiomatic expression. Using "mettle" usually refers to demonstrating resilience or strength of character in challenging situations, not directly related to speaking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mettle to say" is an unconventional attempt to combine the noun "mettle" (strength of character) with an infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that this combination is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "mettle to say" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey the idea of having the courage or determination to speak, but it's not a standard or clear expression. For clearer communication, alternatives like "courage to speak", "determination to express", or "guts to say" are recommended. Its infrequent usage and lack of grammatical correctness suggest avoiding this phrase in formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

courage to speak

Focuses on the bravery required to express oneself.

determination to express

Highlights the resolve needed to voice something.

guts to say

An informal way to emphasize boldness in speaking.

nerve to utter

Suggests a daring or audacious act of speaking.

resolve to declare

Implies a firm decision to make something known.

audacity to state

Emphasizes the boldness in making a statement.

fortitude to voice

Highlights the mental and emotional strength required to speak.

pluck to articulate

Focuses on the courage and spirit in expressing something.

bravery to assert

Highlights the act of confidently stating a fact or belief.

grit to announce

Emphasizes the toughness and determination in making an announcement.

FAQs

What does "mettle" mean?

"Mettle" refers to a person's ability to cope well with difficulties or to face demanding situations in a spirited and resilient way. It's about demonstrating strength of character.

What can I say instead of "mettle to say"?

Consider using alternatives like "courage to speak", "determination to express", or "guts to say" to convey the intended meaning more clearly.

Is it correct to use "mettle" in the context of speaking?

While "mettle" typically refers to strength of character, it is unusual to directly link it to the act of speaking. It's better to use words that explicitly denote bravery or resolve in speaking, such as "courage" or "audacity".

How can I use "mettle" correctly in a sentence?

Use "mettle" to describe someone's resilience or ability to handle difficult situations. For example: "The team showed their mettle by overcoming numerous challenges to win the championship."