steeled himself

USAGE SUMMARY

"steeled himself" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an action whereby someone prepares themselves to face a challenging situation. For example, "John steeled himself for a difficult conversation with his boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This time he steeled himself and looked.

The New York Times

Kino steeled himself for something bad to happen.

The New Yorker

PRETORIA, South Africa — The nation's tax chief steeled himself.

The New York Times

Miller has steeled himself against predictions by voicing none.

The New York Times - Sports

Jobs' reputation pre­ceded him, so Genachowski steeled himself for a berating.

Columbia University

He soon steeled himself for the long road ahead, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Slater steeled himself for the storm that awaited him after the hearing before Judge Gerald.

The New York Times

Obama had steeled himself for the meeting, determined to act with high courtesy and without condescension.

The New Yorker

Alarmed, Neil responded, "We can handle it," and steeled himself for the worst.

The New York Times

He had a word with his coach, steeled himself and carried on.

The Guardian - Sport

Djokovic steeled himself to the task, his hitting direct and frighteningly good.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "steeled himself" to convey a sense of mental and emotional preparation for facing adversity, a difficult task, or an unpleasant situation. It suggests a conscious effort to strengthen one's resolve.

Common error

Avoid using "steeled himself" in very informal or casual contexts. The phrase carries a degree of formality and seriousness, making it unsuitable for lighthearted or trivial situations. Consider alternatives like "got ready" or "prepared himself" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steeled himself" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed by the subject. It describes the act of mentally and emotionally preparing for a difficult or challenging situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steeled himself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes the action of preparing mentally and emotionally for a difficult or challenging situation. Its strength lies in conveying a sense of determination and resolve. While widely applicable, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings, where its inherent seriousness aligns with the situation being described. Alternatives like "braced himself" or "prepared himself" can offer similar meaning with slight nuances. Remember to consider the context when choosing the most appropriate phrase to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

braced himself

Focuses more on physical readiness or immediate impact, but shares the sense of preparing for something unpleasant.

steeled his resolve

Emphasizes the strengthening of one's determination and commitment, particularly in the face of obstacles or temptations.

prepared himself

A more general term for getting ready, lacking the specific connotation of facing adversity with resolve.

fortified himself

Highlights strengthening one's resolve or resilience against challenges, often through mental or emotional preparation.

summoned his courage

Emphasizes calling upon inner bravery and fortitude, especially when confronting fear or uncertainty.

composed himself

Emphasizes regaining calmness and control, particularly after being agitated or upset.

gathered his strength

Highlights the act of accumulating inner power and resilience, especially when facing adversity or challenges.

psyched himself up

Focuses on generating enthusiasm and confidence, often for a performance or competition.

girded his loins

An archaic phrase that means preparing for action, especially a difficult or challenging task.

got ready

A basic and neutral alternative, lacks the intensity and emotional preparation suggested by the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "steeled himself" in a sentence?

Use "steeled himself" to indicate someone preparing mentally or emotionally for a difficult situation, as in, "He "steeled himself" before delivering the bad news".

What are some alternatives to "steeled himself"?

Alternatives include "braced himself", "prepared himself", or "composed himself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "steeled himself" formal or informal?

"Steeled himself" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for news, literature, and professional contexts. For casual conversation, consider "got ready" or "prepared".

What does it mean to say someone "steeled himself"?

It means someone strengthened their resolve or prepared themselves mentally and emotionally to face a challenge or difficult situation. It implies an act of mental fortitude.