Current Affairs0 min ago
grasp the mettle
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what does the phrase 'grasp the mettle' mean?
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I suspect you mean 'grasp the nettle'. It comes from the fact that, if you touch a stinging-nettle gently, you'll get stung. However, if you grasp it firmly, crushing its leaf, this does not happen. So, that is the approach you should take to other life-situations...go for it rather than treading carefully around it!
I always thought that it meant, in order to acheive a difficult or painful task (emotionally), you must face up to the pain to carry out the task by doing it and accepting the resulting discomfort.ie; "grasping the nettle". This could be telling a friend some bad news or taking a pet to be put to sleep etc.
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