steel yourself
Prepare for hardship
To steel yourself is to mentally prepare for something difficult, unpleasant, or emotionally demanding—to harden your resolve as if becoming metal.
The phrase implies bracing against anticipated pain or challenge: She steeled herself before opening the envelope.
He steeled himself for the difficult conversation ahead.
- braceDevice providing structural stability
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- fortifyMake stronger against threat
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- hardenMake or become firm
prepare · resolve · gut check · courage · determination · mental fortitude · inner strength · clench · breathe · take a breath · steady · backbone · spine · stiff upper lip · toughen · armor · dig deep · endure
- phrases about braverylion heart, no fear, bold as brass, stand your ground, true grit
- blacksmithinganvil, anvils, forge, forges, bellows
steel yourselfgive in
Cease resistance, concede
capitulate · surrender · cave in · back down · lose your nerve
steel yourselfrelax
Become less tense
unwind · let go · soften · loosen up · decompress
steel yourselfbreak down
Fail mechanically or emotionally
fall apart · let it all out · release · succumb · wallow
steel, yourself, self, steely, steeled, steeling, steels, selves, selfhood